Pirates and Bulldog girl soccer teams advance at 3A South Tourney

By LOU MARTIN

The Progress

There are many clichés that describe how winners compete at their own levels and who are “The best of the best’ or the “The cream of the crop” etc. Well the first round of the 3A Southern Conference Soccer Tournament, played on Tuesday night Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, showed just that. Virgin Valley, Moapa Valley, Pahrump Valley and Boulder City proved that, all advancing easily to face each other on Thursday in the semi-finals.

The Pirates easily defeated Mojave High School 7-1 behind two goals each from Mallory Tobler and Brooke Sherwood. The Pirates took their time, leading only by 2-1 after one half of play.

“We started slow,” said MVHS coach Lisa Cornwall. “We played our game in the second half reaching goal five times. It all came together, and they remembered who they are. They are so excited to face Boulder City on Thursday October 4 at Bettye Wilson Park.”

The Pirates got additional goals off the feet of Taytum Yardley, Hannah Fullmer, and Talli Fairchild. Assisting were Sherwood, Fairchild and Abbie Hammons. Keeper Savannah Burt got the save.

Boulder City defeated SLAM Academy 5-1 to advance. The Eagles are led by Brea Leavitt and Natasha Oleand. The game pits two teams with identical 11-2-1 records in League play.

The Bulldogs pitched another shutout, their eleventh of the season Thursday defeating Durango 8-0. Senior Dani Correa struck goal first for the Dawgs in the 13^th minute of the first half. After that Virgin Valley found their groove, and penetrated the Durango defense almost at will.

“We led 4-0 at the half,” said Bulldog coach Scott Trimming. “I started our younger kids in the second half who managed to put up four more goals against Durango before the mercy rule came into play.”

Striking goal for the Dawgs, were Katrina Beltran with the ‘Hat Trick”, Natali Isidro with two and Natalie Zarate, Graciee Draney and Corea with one each. Assisting on the goals were Beltran, Jaymie Hulet, Adison Snyder, Jaquelyn Valadez and Matea Wahl with one each and Isidro with two assists. Keeper Erin Ofori had two saves for the win.

Virgin Valley will play Pahrump Valley on Thursday. The Trojans finished Mountain League play with a record of 13-0.

The Trojans manhandled Equipo Academy 8-0 on Tuesday.

Pahrump defeated the Bulldogs in September by a score of 2-1. Leading the Trojans is striker Adryanna Carabello who has struck for 34 goals this season.

Coach Trimming added, “It’s going to be fun.”

No doubt it will.