Both Trojans soccer teams take a loss

The Trojans fell to 0-3 after losing to the Clark Chargers on Friday afternoon, 3-2. Clark was one of the conference leaders last year and came to Pahrump positive they would win.

The Chargers had steady pressure on the Trojans the entire first half. Late in the first half with 3 minutes to go, there was a fierce collision with some Pahrump Valley players and the goalkeeper for the Chargers. The goalkeeper appeared to hit his head badly and was removed from the game. The injury was bad enough that the referee said he needed medical attention and couldn’t return unless seen by an athletic trainer. He never returned. The Trojans played hard defense and at the half held the Chargers to a single goal, 0-1. During the first half the Trojans defenders were able to make it back to the goal and defend it with no problem.

Trojans came back in the second half and immediately attacked the goal. They had two shots on goal in the first three minutes of the second half. With just 34 minutes into the half the Trojans took a corner kick. Nick Nelson took the kick and Aaron Alcarez headed the ball into the goal to tie the game up at 1-1.

A minute later Jose Nunez scored Pahrump’s second goal of the game to take the lead with 29 minutes left to go. The Trojans played fierce defense for the next 10 minutes, but they started to slow down in the last 10 minutes of the game.

The game was played in near 100 degree weather and it was a physical game which required both teams to use their bench. In the second half, one Trojans player was dehydrated and started to cramp late in the game. He came off the field, but returned later.

In the last 10 minutes of the game, the Chargers’ Oscar Mata tied the match and then Kevin Meng scored the winning goal with three minutes left in the game. At this point the Trojans looked spent. Meng got a beautiful pass and then out-ran three Pahrump defenders to take the shot.

Trojans Coach Don Boulden said he has two rising stars, defenders: Henry Estrella and Nate Vallin climbed their way to varsity. Boulden said, “Unfortunately, 60 minutes of solid play, of an 80-minute match, wasn’t enough to finish for us against Clark’s dynasty of experience.”

He said his team’s weakness was the transitions from offense and defense. “As disappointing as it was for the coaching staff and PVHS boys soccer, it’s always good to see athletes answer the call, rise up to the challenge, and finish the fight. I applauded Clark on their third and final goal that won them the match,” he said.

Clark improves to 3-0 and the Trojans fall to 0-3. The Trojans were at Western on Tuesday, who is also 3-0.

The Lady Trojans played at Clark and lost 2-1. The team falls to 1-1.

Trojans Coach Pam Larmouth said her bench was awfully thin on Friday. “We worked hard. We certainly missed Alyssa. We only had one sub and I think we are still needing to condition. It was very hot, but we should be able to run 80 minutes by now, so our focus will be on getting in better condition and being first to the ball. We are still building, but after Friday’s game, I see some position changes coming up to help us in midfield,” Larmouth said.

The game was hard to lose for the Trojans since it was a conference game.

They were at home against Western who is also 1-1. The ladies hope to shore up the defense with Alyssa Turner out with a knee injury.