The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ varsity soccer team honored its seniors and their families before putting together an evening of sustained offensive pressure against Boulder City on Thursday, Oct. 8. The Trojans created scoring opportunities throughout both halves, but a first-half penalty kick proved decisive as the visiting Eagles earned a 1–0 win.
Before kickoff, eight seniors were recognized alongside their families: Randall Pangilinan, who is graduating early, Samuel “Sammy” Mendoza, TC Hone, Ryan Nunez Manzo, Rafael Sanchez Veliz, Miguel Frias-Esparza, Jessie Barajas-Roman and Omar Becerra Gastelum. The ceremony gave the players an opportunity to share their recognition with the family members who have supported them throughout their high school soccer careers.
Once play began, Pahrump quickly put Boulder City’s defense to work. With Jakob Riggs starting in goal for the Trojans, Rene Gonzalez Valdez produced a shot on goal with 38:12 remaining in the opening half, forcing the Eagles’ goalkeeper to make a catch.
Sanchez Veliz followed with a shot just wide at 36:35, and Nunez Manzo put another attempt on goal at 34:04 that the goalkeeper caught. Becerra Gastelum sent a shot wide at 32:06 before Mendoza tried his luck with an attempt that traveled high and wide at 29:33.
The Trojans continued to create chances as the half progressed. With 28:33 remaining, Nunez Manzo delivered a cross to Sanchez Veliz for another shot that narrowly missed the goal. Moments later, Hone struck the side post, bringing Pahrump close to an opening score.
Boulder City’s goalkeeper remained busy. At 20:23, Nunez Manzo generated a shot on goal from a corner-kick opportunity, but the keeper stopped the attempt to preserve the scoreless tie.
The Eagles broke through with 15:30 remaining after a penalty against Pahrump gave Boulder City a penalty kick. The shot traveled just above Riggs’ reach, putting the visitors ahead 1–0.
Pahrump continued attacking after the goal. With 9:01 left in the half, a corner kick from Barajas-Roman reached Sanchez Veliz, whose header was stopped by the Eagles’ goalkeeper. A high-kick penalty against Hone interrupted play at 7:19, but the Trojans soon returned to creating opportunities around Boulder City’s goal.
With 6:01 remaining, Roberto Gonzalez-Gonzalez played a cross to Gonzalez Valdez for a shot that went just wide. Mendoza added a high, wide attempt at 5:25, then put another shot on goal inside the final two minutes. The goalkeeper caught that effort, sending Pahrump into halftime trailing by a single goal despite its repeated chances.
The Trojans resumed their offensive pressure almost immediately after the break. Gonzalez-Gonzalez forced a goalkeeper stop with 38:55 remaining and followed with another shot on goal at 36:31. Hone then sent an attempt wide at 35:59 as Pahrump continued searching for the equalizer.
Riggs answered at the other end, stopping a Boulder City shot on goal with 35:17 remaining. Shortly afterward, a penalty against the Eagles gave Pahrump a penalty-kick opportunity at 34:43. Another promising Trojan attacking sequence was called offside, leaving Pahrump still working to pull even.
Boulder City tested Riggs again at 32:22, and he caught the shot to keep the deficit at one. Barajas-Roman sent an attempt high at 30:58 before the Trojans earned another corner-kick opportunity. Pangilinan followed that play with a shot that went wide at 28:40.
Pahrump continued to find shooting opportunities through the middle of the half. A Trojan shot on goal was caught at 27:27, and Mendoza sent another attempt high at 25:43. The Eagles’ goalkeeper repeatedly stood between Pahrump’s attacking efforts and a tying score.
Barajas-Roman later took over in goal for the Trojans and delivered a significant stop with approximately 16 minutes remaining. His save kept Pahrump within striking distance as the team pushed through the closing portion of the match.
Sanchez Veliz sent a shot high and wide with 11:51 left, followed by another Trojan attempt that missed just wide at 9:35. Even as time grew short, Pahrump continued putting pressure on the Eagles.
With 3:34 remaining, Sanchez Veliz placed a shot on goal that the Boulder City goalkeeper caught. Hone produced another chance at 2:21, but the keeper jumped on the ball to stop the attempt. Mendoza added a final shot that traveled high inside the last two minutes.
The equalizer remained out of reach, but the Trojans kept creating chances until the closing minutes. On an evening that began with recognition for the seniors and their families, Pahrump’s players followed the ceremony with a competitive performance marked by repeated attacks, timely saves and a determined push to the final whistle.
