Soccer: Trojans fall to Diamondbacks in heated game
The Desert Oasis boys soccer team scored one goal in the first half and one goal in the second half and that was enough to blank the Trojans on Wednesday afternoon, 2-0.
The Diamondbacks, a 4A team, stretched the Trojans’ (2-2-1 overall, Sunset League) defense out according to Trojans coach Wes Icard to get both their goals.
“We needed to play this team tighter and have better formations,” the coach told his team after the game. “Also, we need to communicate better as a team.”
Despite the two goals, the coach said his defense looked better and played Desert Oasis tight.
The Trojans are hoping to do better in league play this year due to the realignment of the teams.
Last year in Division I-A the Trojans managed only five wins with no league wins (0-12). With four of the top five teams leaving the league, the Trojans are hoping to turn things around.
Icard said his team was getting better at communication, meaning the team members have to talk to each other on the field.
He also said the offense was a work in progress and that the team had to work on their ball control.
Ball control was something that the Diamondbacks did well against the Trojans, orchestrating two goals by getting the right personnel in a position to score.
The Diamondbacks (2-1-1 overall, Southwest League, 4A) took unofficially 16 shots on goal to Pahrump’s nine (unofficial). Icard said Trojans goalkeeper Nick Harris saved numerous goals (11 unofficial saves) and kept the game respectable.
The coach felt that playing three games in a row was a bit much.
“It would be nice to have a practice between games,” he said. “The team is fine physically, but need the practice to adjust. They played this team (Desert Oasis) the same way they played Moapa Valley.”
On Wednesday The Trojans beat the Pirates (0-2 overall, Sunrise League) 7-2. Paul Holmes, Carlos Ortega, Bailey Crawford, Daniel Ortuno and Jesus Amador all had one goal apiece, and Jose Pelayo had two goals.
The Trojans took third place at the Spring Creek tourney.
“That was better than the last time we went and took fourth,” the coach said.
The Trojans played Adelson School on Thursday, which was past deadline.
Pahrump starts league play on Monday at Sunrise Mountain (1-0 overall, Sunset League) at 3 p.m.
Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com
