Seniors play last home game for pride

Tuesday was all about the seniors as they played their last home game against Cheyenne. The Trojans (5-14-2 overall, 2-12-1 Sunset League) lost 2-0, but played tough defense against the Desert Shields (3-10-2, 3-9-2) for most of the game.

In the first half it appeared the Trojans were going to win because they had so many shots on goal. The ball was on the Desert Shields’ side of the field the whole half. Cheyenne scored late in the half at 16:52, which gave them a 1-0 lead at the half.

The score remained 1-0, until 3:47 left to go and Cheyenne scored the final goal of the game.

The Trojans have 10 seniors this year. Trojans Coach Don Boulden calls seven of those seniors the “Magnificent 7” because the seven seniors had played 12 years of soccer together. The following are members of that group: Aaron Alcarez No. 2, Daniel Clasen No. 4, Victor Gomez No. 12, Adrian Maldonado No. 6, Joshua Mortensen No. 3, Nick Nelson No. 9 and Fredy Nunez No. 5.

The seven seniors were coached by acting AYSO Region-808, Regional Commissioners Dave and Rosalee Clasen.

The other three seniors are Christian Aguilar, Spencer Dykstra and Josue Gonzalez.

Some of the seniors shared their memories of playing with the Trojans. Nick Nelson was the third scorer this year and a team captain.

“My favorite year playing soccer has been my senior year because I have playing with these guys since I moved out here,” he said. “I have a lot of great memories with them. We always fight through everything. We go through it as a team and I have to say my best memory is this entire season even though we didn’t have a great season I love playing with these guys because they are good.”

Adrian Maldonado is another team captain and led the team in goals this year (9). “My freshman year when I scored against Clark with a header was the most memorable moment. And this year it would have to be when we played against Elko and played against the Idaho State Champs and we tied them. I scored the tying goal,” Maldonado said.

Aaron Alcarez, another team captain, had the fourth highest number of goals this year. “My most memorable moment playing soccer with this team was my freshman year when I played with my brother,” he said.

The boys finished the season against Faith Lutheran (5-13-6, 3-10-2) on Thursday.