Bulldog goalkeeper Domingo Ramirez dives for a save in the first half against Sunrise Mountain as teammate Oswaldo Cabrera comes in for support. Ramirez had 8 saves in the first half. Photo by Lou Martin.
It was a tough day for Virgin Valley High School soccer enthusiasts last Thursday night as the Bulldog boy and girl soccer teams were taken to task as they were shut down by the Sunrise Mountain High School Miners 6-0 and 2-0 respectively.
Losing to a Miners team is not an embarrassment in 1-A Southern Division soccer as the Miners have not tasted defeat this year in boys’ soccer. Thursday’s win was number nine for the Miners in 1-A division play.
The Bulldogs stayed with the favorite Miners for one half of play. Bulldog Goalkeeper Domingo Ramirez had 8 saves in the first half on 11 Miners attempts. The Bulldogs offense could get untracked as the Miners defense intercepted pass after pass attempt from the Dawgs. It was a soccer chess match as the Bulldog players matched the Miners with great defense of their own. The first half ended in a stalemate 0-0. “Well done,” said Bulldog head coach Mike Pletzke as he greeted his players at the break. “You’re playing with heart and enthusiasm, and I can’t ask any more than that.” Coach Pletzke warned his young players that they (Miners) would change their mode of offense to begin the second half of play.
He was right as the Miners came out attacking the Bulldogs from outside runners who made terrific cross passes to teammates in the box for scores. The Miners scored goals in the sixth and eleventh minute to deflate the Bulldogs enthusiasm. The Miners would not let up as they continued their attack scoring goals in the 27th and 36th minute to win going away 4-0. It was the Bulldogs’ second league loss to the Miners by the 4-0 score.
The loss dropped the Dawgs to 4-4 in league play tied with Desert Pines for the fourth spot in the Sunrise league. The Bulldogs’ season doesn’t get easier as they travel to Chaparral tonight to face the one-loss Cowboys.
Wednesday’s match against Desert Pines will go a long way to determine how the rest of the season goes for the Dawgs.
