Pirates Outlast Bulldogs In Defensive Struggle

By LOU MARTIN

The Progress

The Moapa Valley High School Girls Soccer team traveled up the highway to face off against the rival Virgin Valley High School squad on Monday, Sept. 19. Despite being outshot by the hometown Dawgs the Pirates came away with a hard-earned 1-0 victory.

The Pirates struck goal in the 69 minute mark on a breakaway by striker Hannah Fullmer. Fullmer took advantage of the Bulldog keeper’s attempt to step out of the net, giving the Pirate an opportunity to score.

The Pirates offense pressured the Dawgs defense for the first 17 minutes of the match, controlling the ball away from the Bulldogs with pinpoint passing.
“The girls played really well and were persisitent,” said MVHS head coach Lisa Cornwall. “We were able to keep possession of the ball which is crucial in a game like this.”

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were up for the match keeping the Pirates from goal.

The Dawgs had a good opportunity on goal at the 25 minute mark. But their shot went wide left.
Both keepers, Julitsa Silveyra for the Dawgs and Savanna Burt did a great job protecting the net for their respective teams.

Bulldog Kacie Garrett was all over the defensive side stopping and blocking the Pirates, keeping them off goal. The first half ended with the score 0-0.
The Pirates got the first corner kick two minutes into the second period but Silveyra made a good save.

The Bulldogs seemed to increase their intensity at the 10 minute mark but a pass from Alexia De Santiago to striker Linita Kioa was wasted by a wide shot on goal.

The intensity of the match increased as each team attacked the other’s side which led to a couple of yellow cards and a warning to the Bulldogs fan base.

The Bulldogs got a break 12 minutes in when a penalty was called on the Pirates defense for interference in their box. But Burt was there to deflect De Santiago’s penalty kick and keep the Bulldogs from getting on the board.

The score remained locked at zeros until Fullmer’s goal gave the Pirates the lead, 1-0.
The Bulldog offense continued their intensity realizing the clock was ticking down.

Burt made a huge block late in the game which prevented the Dawgs from tying the match.
After the match Bulldog assistant coach Natalie Akiyama said, “It’s always a good game between rivalries! We had some good runs and looks at the goal. We will continue to work hard and make adjustments. Overall, I’m happy with the effort given by the girls.”

The loss dropped the Dawgs record to 5-3 overall for the season.
“It is always a great game when we play Virgin Valley,” said Coach Cornwall. “This was certainly no exception.”

With the Monday night win, the Pirates were at 8-3-2 overall on the season, and 3-0 in league play. With their win on Wednesday against Chaparral (see Fall Sports Roundup in this edition) they are undefeated at 4-0 in the league.

The Pirates will travel to Las Vegas on Thursday night, Sept. 29, to play Mojave.
The Bulldogs’ next match will be at Cheyenne High School on September 29 before hosting Mojave on October 3.

The two teams will meet again on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in a rivalry match, this time on Pirate soil at Jeff Keel stadium in Moapa Valley.

On a side note, this was Coach Akiyama’s second game as varsity coach replacing the former head coach. Help is on the way as long time coach Scott Trimming returned to the sideline assisting Akiyama.