By GANNON HANEVOLD
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley High School boys’ soccer team officially began a new season last week. The first game had the Pirates up against against the Lions of Adelson on Moapa’s home field.
The Pirates came into the season with high expectations. Both first game jitters and long term optimism were displayed in this first match.
Early in the game, Adelson set up for a corner kick. But Tanner Johnson saved the ball to start the game well.
The Lions continued to pressure the ball into the Pirates’ defensive backfield. Eventually, Adelson’s Alex Sefia broke through the final line of defense of Moapa Valley and scored the first goal of the game, despite a strong effort by Isaah Fairchild to get back on defense.
Just moments later, the Lions were able to sneak in another goal to extend their lead to 2-0. Towards the end of the opening half, Adelson’s Ethan Friedman scored one more for the visiting side after attacking from the right wing to extend the lead to 3-0. This goal took both teams to halftime with the Pirates needing a turnaround.
Moapa Valley head coach Jared Bushman said of the first half, “I think we were a little too worried about officials not making calls in the first half. When you do that, you start looking to the ref instead of playing the game.”
Bushman also said he had put out a challenge to his team at that point. “I challenged them to protect the ball and themselves, because Adelson was very aggressive and physical.”
In the second half, the Pirates came out of the gates playing an attacking offense, looking for every opportunity to turn a play into a scoring one.
Freshman Ethan Fulman of Moapa Valley dribbled past defenders and set up teammate Ramiro Corrales for a scoring attempt. But the shot didn’t get past the Adelson goalkeeper.
Just moments later, fellow freshman Zach Bailey got an opportunity from the right side and capitalized, scoring the first goal of the season for Moapa.
Adelson responded with a score of their own to rebuild their lead back up to a three point spread.
With the score 4-1, Bryan Robles was fouled in the goalie box, setting the Pirates up with a chance at a penalty kick. Israel Rubio took the shot, and scored it into the left side of the net to make it 4-2.
Almost immediately after, Robles saw open field and had a great opportunity to score. But a great save by the Adelson goalkeeper stopped it.
On the other end, the Lions shanked a penalty kick of their own.
Zach Bailey nearly scored his second goal for the Pirates near the end of the game, but the Adelson defense made another great play. Ultimately, the Pirates would fall short, 4-2.
“In the past, my teams didn’t have many opportunities to score,” Bushman said. “We highlighted that as an improvement.”
Bushman also highlighted something one of his players brought up. “Ramiro Corrales pointed out that in the first half we were in our back third, and in the second half we had them pinned down,” Bushman said. “Sometimes you’re on your back foot and you just have to withstand the pressure long enough. Then you can put the pressure on the other team.”
It was evident that new players had a big impact on the game. Fulman and Bailey set up scoring opportunities for the Pirates, with Bailey even putting one in the back of the net. MVHS junior Ramiro Corrales, also in his first year with the Pirates, was making impact plays all over the field.
“The big difference this year is that I have competition for playing time,” Bushman said. “I have freshmen that are competing for varsity time. When your spot isn’t guaranteed, you play better.”
On Wednesday, the Pirates travel to Sunrise Mountain for what will be a tough test with the Miners.
