The Pahrump Valley High School junior varsity boys’ soccer team impressed their home crowd on Monday, September 22, with an 8-3 victory over Founders Classical Academy of Las Vegas. From the opening whistle, the Trojans showed determination, spreading the ball across the field and capitalizing on their opportunities.
Joseph Kirkpatrick took on goalkeeping duties for Pahrump Valley, holding steady as the team’s third-string keeper. Early on, Ryan Nunez Manzo opened the scoring with a strong finish, quickly giving the Trojans momentum. Minutes later, Omar Becerra Gastelum converted on a penalty kick to extend the lead. A smart play at midfield set up Samson Wagner, who centered the ball perfectly to Rafael Sanchez for another score. The Trojans closed the first half with a highlight when TC Hone slipped a low shot into the left corner, giving PVHS a 4-1 advantage at halftime.
The second half brought even more offensive fireworks. Sammy Mendoza worked up the right side, shaking off defenders before finishing with a rolling strike inside the left post. Randall Pangilinan then added to the tally with a powerful shot from the middle to make it 6-2. Nunez Manzo continued his big night with another goal, dribbling in from the left side and firing home to widen the gap. TC Hone followed with a drive from the right side that Cameron Larson tapped in from the opposite corner, marking a standout moment for Larson, who recently gained eligibility to play. By the final whistle, Pahrump Valley sealed the 8-3 victory.
Head Junior Varsity Coach Trenton Curtis praised his team’s adaptability and energy throughout the match. “I was really proud of our team,” Curtis said. “We’ve been adjusting formations, and in the second half we shifted to a 3-1, 4-2. The guys were nervous about it, but they played great. At JV, it’s less about the wins and more about experience, so we sub in groups to make sure everyone gets reps. It was really nice to see even some of the varsity players ask to join in just to get more time on the field.”
Curtis also noted the contributions from less experienced defenders and the resilience of Kirkpatrick in goal. “He was nervous at the beginning, but he held his own and made good adjustments after halftime. We had several players asking what they could do better, which shows how much they’re growing,” he added.
With multiple players finding the back of the net and new formations clicking into place, the Trojans JV squad left the field confident in their progress and eager for what lies ahead this season.
