The PVHS JV soccer team celebrated a thrilling victory on September 4th at home against SLAM, marking their first win over the league’s top team in more than five years. In a tightly contested match, the Trojans edged out SLAM 1-0, thanks to a stunning free kick from center midfielder and team captain Joan (John) Cruz.
The winning goal came from a beautifully executed free kick from the 15-yard line, which Cruz curled into the upper left corner of the goal. “It was a hard-fought game, truly a team win with everyone giving their all,” said Head Coach Devin Petersen. “Our defense did a tremendous job fighting off the attack of the league’s top team, and Joan Cruz’s leadership was instrumental in both our defensive and offensive efforts.”
During the first half, Cruz, alongside standout defender James Wilson, anchored the defense, keeping SLAM’s strong offensive lineup at bay. In the second half, PVHS shifted to a more offensive formation, a strategy that paid off as they pushed for the crucial goal. “Joan Cruz was the player of the game as he held down the defense during the first half and then led the attack in the second half,” Coach Petersen added. “Switching gears into an offensive formation proved to be the winning strategy in one of our toughest matchups to date.”
The victory over SLAM marks PVHS’s third consecutive win, including two shutouts by goalkeeper Jesse Barajas-Roman. The Trojans’ current record stands at 3-1-1, remaining undefeated in league matches with two hard-fought wins against some of the top JV teams in the league.
Looking ahead, the PVHS JV soccer team will face Cristo Rey away on Friday. Their last encounter with Cristo Rey ended in a 1-1 tie, and the Trojans are eager to continue their strong momentum. “We expect to give Cristo Rey another hard-fought game,” Coach Petersen said. “With the team firing on all levels, we’re ready to keep building on our recent successes.”
As the season progresses, the PVHS JV soccer team is determined to continue their winning streak and maintain their strong position in the league.
*A special thanks to the PVHS Yearbook staff for the photos.
