Pirate Boys Soccer Ends Special Season

By GANNON HANEVOLD

Moapa Valley Progress

From the start, this season of Moapa Valley High School Boys Soccer just had a special feel to it. It was a different feeling on the field, and a general sense of comradery unseen in years’ past. And though the team’s season ended last week in heartbreaking fashion, it became even more evident just how remarkable the Pirate team of 2018 was.

The Pirates concluded their season last week with games against Chaparral and Boulder City.
Against the Cowboys, the Pirates suffered a tough loss by an 8-0 score. The team had learned they’d be without star defender Eirik Monsvoll just hours before the game and had to rally around putting the right pieces in place to replace his presence.

The crucial game of the week came against the Eagles in the final game of the season with a playoff spot on the line. It was simple: win and get in.

This was a stage the team had never before reached. The nerves may have got the best of them as the Eagles came out and started strong.

Boulder City scored three goals in the first seven minutes of action to make an immediate statement. Before long, it would be 4-0 in the first half. Sebastean Gutierrez scored just before halftime to make it 4-1, but the Pirate spirits were just treading water.

Just minutes into the second half, Zach Bailey of the Pirates made it 4-2, and the Pirate fans began feeling the potential of a comeback.
Minutes later, the Eagles responded to silence that excitement and make it 5-2.

A foul in the box with ten minutes remaining gave Bryan Robles a penalty shot. He sunk it, but it was too late. The Pirates fell 5-3 and had their season come to an end.
“I think the boys were putting a lot of pressure on themselves,” said Pirate coach Randy Tobler. “It was a must win game. I think they kind of got caught up in the physicality of the game in the first half.”

Regardless, Tobler also pointed out the team’s comeback efforts. “We’ve had a tendency to not go out and give our best when we’re down, so I was glad to see that they wanted it and were fighting for it,” he said.

The Pirates finish the season 10-10, and 3-7 in league play. Though that’s not where the players want them to be, they symbolize a very significant step towards building a winning soccer program at MVHS, a sport that has seen many lows in recent years.

This season, perhaps the biggest influence in the play on the field, was the team’s bond off of the field, Tobler said.
“I’ve just never seen players get along so well and just want to be together,” he said. “Even after the season is over now, they’re talking about doing some practices and games and that’s something we haven’t had.”

Much of that attitude stems from the leadership of seniors Bryan Robles, Gabriel Hernandez, and Evan Conger. Hernandez can always be seen hustling to each ball, Conger is never afraid to sacrifice himself on the field for a better chance at team success, and Robles could be described as the ‘heart and soul’ of the team. His vocal leadership and pride in the soccer program is evident before, after, and during the match.

“They’re all really good kids with good attitudes,” Tobler said. They’re dedicated to the sport and it was fun to coach them.”

The first year coach pointed out two moments this season, from the beginning and end, that signified how special this team was. The team started the season with a tournament title at White Pine, and ended the season with a barbecue at Tobler’s house with the whole team involved.

“It didn’t matter who I put in, they were passing to each other and working so well together,” Tobler said of the White Pine game in the preseason.

As for the end of season barbecue, it reiterated the closeness of this roster. “Seeing them at the barbecue, it was like they were a family,” Tobler said.

While this family will miss key pieces like Monsvoll and their graduating seniors, it’s safe to assume that MVHS boys soccer is in good hands, thanks to the lessons learned from such a special season.