Bulldog Freddy Gomez attempts a goal shot against a defending group of Cowboys during the Dawgs 3-0 loss to Chaparral High School Tuesday afternoon at the Mesquite Sports and Events Center. Photo by Lou Martin

Bulldog Freddy Gomez attempts a goal shot against a defending group of Cowboys during the Dawgs 3-0 loss to Chaparral High School Tuesday afternoon at the Mesquite Sports and Events Center.
Photo by Lou Martin

The Virgin Valley High School boy soccer team was shut out by 3-0 Chaparral on Tuesday Oct. 18 but kept hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Moapa Valley Thursday keeping the ‘Rivals Cup’ in Mesquite for another year. The Bulldogs 3-5 Sunrise League record is one better than Boulder City in fifth position.

The Bulldogs matched intensity Tuesday with the Cowboys in the first half of play before giving up 3 goals in the second half of play. The Bulldogs defense kept the game tied in the first half despite the Cowboys applying great pressure. The Cowboys outshot the Dawgs 4-2 in the period but could not strike goal. Christian Martinez had a great opportunity to give the Dawgs a lead late in the first but his goal attempt was stopped on a Cowboy save. The first period ended with a 0-0- ties. The Bulldogs Miguel Escobedo broke free at the 12 minute mark of the second period but his goal shot was blocked by the Cowboys. A minute later the Cowboys rang up their first goal on a shot by Leo Gutierrez. Gutierrez struck goal minutes later giving the Cowboys a 2-0 advantage. The Cowboys Omar Miranda finished the scoring with a goal late in the game, Final score Cowboys 3-0 over Dawgs.

 

Thursday’s matchup between the Dawgs and archrival Moapa Valley for the coveted ‘Rivals Cup’ went down to the wire before a winner was confirmed. The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Christian Martinez on an assist from Jesus Navarro. The Pirates knotted the score 1-1 early in the second period keeping pressure on the host Dawgs. The outcome was decided late when Sergio Rodriguez hit Justin Cazares on a pass for the winning goal. The win kept the Dawgs playoff hopes alive with two games remaining. It will be a tough test for the Dawgs as they travel to third place TECH on Monday Oct. 24 before hosting undefeated Del Sol on Wednesday Oct. 26.