The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans boys’ soccer team delivered a strong performance on their home field Saturday, October 25, defeating the Cristo Rey Royals 2–0 in the regional quarterfinals to advance to the next round of playoffs.
From the opening whistle, the Trojans controlled the tempo, creating numerous scoring opportunities through quick passing and set-piece execution. Early shots by TC Hone, Berto Gonzalez-Gonzalez, and Adrian Dominguez-Leyva kept the Royals’ defense under pressure. Midway through the first half, a penalty kick by Hone was deflected but recovered by Sammy Mendoza, who sent the rebound into the net to give the Trojans a 1–0 lead. Pahrump maintained its advantage into halftime thanks to a composed defensive line and sharp goalkeeping by Cayden Cowley.
The second half mirrored the first, with the Trojans maintaining offensive momentum while denying Cristo Rey’s attempts to break through. Several shots from Ryan Nunez-Manzo and Randall Pangilinan were stopped by the Royals’ keeper, but persistence paid off late in the match. With just minutes remaining, Rafael Sanchez connected on a corner kick, assisted by Nunez-Manzo and Hone, to seal the 2–0 victory for Pahrump Valley.
Head Coach Andrew Norton praised his team’s preparation and execution, emphasizing how focused practice on set pieces proved crucial to the win. “Both goals were off of set plays, which is huge for me because that’s what we pounded all week in practice,” Norton said. “We didn’t work much on formation or open play this time—we focused on capitalizing on set pieces, and it showed today.”
Norton also highlighted the determination of senior Ulises “Uli” Gonzalez, who recently returned to play after a six-week injury. “There is nobody who works harder on the team,” he said. “You can tell he’s still getting back into rhythm, but his heart and hustle are unmatched.”
Looking ahead, the Trojans will travel to Virgin Valley for the semifinal match. Norton expects a challenging game but remains optimistic. “Virgin Valley is a very strong team in open play,” he said. “But if we tighten our defense and continue to make the most of our set pieces, we have a great chance of taking it to the finals.”
With Saturday’s victory, the Trojans not only extended their postseason run but also demonstrated their growth as a cohesive and disciplined unit, ready to face the next test in regional competition.
