Trojans boys soccer has been going through a rough defensive spell, giving up 12 points in the last three games and dropping their first two conference games.
Pahrump tied Rancho on Friday, lost to Mojave at home on Wednesday 2-1 and Sunrise Mountain on the road (6-0 overall, 2-0 Sunset League) last Monday 9-0.
During the Rancho (2-0-1, 1-0 Northeast league) game, both teams failed to score in the first half and then each scored one in the second half. Paul Holmes scored the goal for the Trojans.
On Wednesday Pahrump had another decent defensive game.
At the half, the Trojans (2-5-3, 0-2) believed they could catch the Rattlers (5-6, 1-1).
“It wasn’t a bad half,” Trojans goalkeeper Nick Harris said during halftime. “Passing was much better, but we need to spread out the defense and attack.”
Trojans coach Wes Icard echoed Harris’ assessment.
“We are defending well and passing well, let’s do this,” Icard said.
Of course, anything was better than getting beat by Sunrise Mountain 9-0.
The Trojans started to follow their coach’s advice during the second half and “played the ball and not the man.” Pahrump didn’t give up another point.
The Trojans offense had problems shooting or just finding an open shot despite keeping the ball in Mojave territory most of the second half. Unofficially, the Rattlers had 15 shots on the game to Pahrump’s six.
Jose Chavez scored the Trojans’ only goal in the first half off a corner kick, heading the ball toward the goal and then muscling it in with his legs. Nick Harris had a great day with 8 saves.
Pahrump played Desert Pines (4-3, 1-1) on Tuesday for their third league game, which was past deadline.
The Trojans host Cheyenne (2-2-1, 0-2) on Thursday afternoon at in league play ont 3 p.m.
The Trojans Girls team (8-3, 2-0) has a three-game winning streak going as they beat Mojave (0-5, 0-2) on the road on Wednesday 6-0 for their second league win in a row.
Last Monday the Trojans hosted Sunrise Mountain (1-3, 1-1) and won 2-1. Sydney Dennis and Vaniah Vitto each scored a goal.
The Trojans are on top, tied with Western (6-3-1, 2-0).
In Wednesday’s game, Vitto and Kathy Niles had two goals apiece and Dennis and Kaitlyn Carrington each had one. The Trojans played Desert Pines (1-5, 0-2) on Tuesday at 1 p.m. which was past deadline. The girls play at Cheyenne (4-5, 1-1) on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Trojans volleyball (8-10, 2-0) beat Mojave (4-14, 1-1) on the road last Wednesday, 25-19, 25-17, 27-25 and 25-14. The girls host Desert Pines (0-11, 0-2) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Pahrump is tied for the top spot with Cheyenne, who is also 2-0 in the league.
In the Mojave game, Jill Smith had 24 assists, Alexis Trieb 17 kills and Koral Hearn eight kills.
The girls next game is at Cheyenne (11-12, 2-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com