By LOU MARTIN
The Progress
In normal play, a 4-2 win is considered a blow out in soccer. But the matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 28 between the Virgin Valley High School boys team and Pahrump Valley was far from that. The Bulldogs and the Trojans entertained the local fans with intense play on both sides of the ball. It took a hat trick (3 goals) from Bulldog striker Zach Trimming to finally subdue the Trojans.
The Trojans got on the scoreboard first with forward Braydon Martinez lighting up the scoreboard with two goals to give the guests a 2-0 lead 10 minutes into the match. The first was a 30 yard shot over the Bulldogs keeper and the second only minutes later was a breakaway forcing the Dawgs keeper to leave the net.
The Bulldogs had the opportunity to score 15 minutes into the match on a free kick outside the box by Trimming. His attempt went high above the net.
The Bulldogs struck goal at the 28 minute mark as Trimming’s footwork led to his own rebound and a Bulldog score cutting the Trojans lead to 2-1.
Then the Bulldogs took advantage in the waning seconds of the first half as forward Oster Gavin broke free and was tackled in the box setting up Trimming’s second goal on a penalty kick. His shot blew by the Trojans keeper tying the match at 2-2 at halftime.
The break seemed to invigorate the Bulldogs as they came out with intense pressure on both sides of the pitch. The Bulldogs had numerous shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
The Bulldogs first corner kick of the match resulted in Trimming’s final goal of the night. Jorje Villalobos took the kick and placed it perfectly in the box for Trimming’s header giving the Dawgs their first lead at 3-2.
The Bulldogs added their fourth goal two minutes later on a perfect 30 yard goal shot from Alex Rivera over the outstretched hands of the Trojans keeper. It was all Bulldogs the rest of the way as their defense shut down the Trojans giving the Dawgs a 13-4 advantage on goal shots in the second half.
The Trojans keeper was also up to the task swatting away Bulldog shots.
The win gave the Dawgs a 4-8-2 record going into the second half of the season.
“Last night’s game was a good one,” said Bulldog head coach Junior Flores. “We started slow for the first 15 minutes or so but the kids got it together and got shots off after trailing 2-0. We rallied back when everything came together. The passing was great led by Zack and Alex R.”
The Bulldogs travelled to Boulder City on Monday Oct. 3. They come home to face Somerset Sky Pointe on Thursday October 6 at 6 pm.
