Moises Medina, #7, scored the first goal of the match giving the Dawgs a 1-0 lead over TECH. Despite the lead the Roadrunners rallied to win 3-2. Photo by Lou Martin
The Virgin Valley High School boy soccer team needed a win Tuesday against two-time defending state champions Southeast Career Technical Academy (TECH), to keep their hopes for a tournament spot alive. The goal fell short as the first place Roadrunners left town with a 3-2 win.
The Dawgs, as they have in recent games, jumped out to an early 2-0 lead but could not finish. Moises Medina struck goal at the 10 minute mark on a pass from his brother Gabby Medina giving the Dawgs a 1-0 advantage. The Bulldogs would get a free kick from 40 yards out at the 16 minute mark of the first half. Gabby Medina placed the shot in front of the Roadrunner goal and Bulldog Rafael De Santiago finished it off with a goal upping the Dawgs’ lead to 2-0. The Roadrunners seemed to sense the game was getting away upped their offensive tempo for the rest of the half. Eduardo Sanchez scored on a crossover pass to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining in the period. The quick Roadrunners continued to go outside on the Dawgs’ defense and scored on another crossover with less than a minute remaining in the half. It would be the most important goal of the game.
The second half was a defensive battle as each team had opportunities to score but were stopped by excellent defense. The Dawgs pressured the Roadrunners with two straight corner kicks but could not cash in. Roadrunner Fabian Vera broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining giving TECH a 3-2 advantage. The Roadrunners played keep away the rest of the way as Bulldog Coach, Mike Pletzke, watched his playoff hopes slipping away and exhorted all his troops to attack the box. The game ended with the Dawgs on the short end of a 3-2 score. The Dawgs host Del Sol Thursday at the Mesquite Sports and Events Center.
Lady Bulldogs tie undefeated TECH 0-0
The Virgin Valley High School Lady Bulldogs tied the undefeated TECH Roadrunners Tuesday 0-0 at TECH. The tie was as good as a win against the powerful Roadrunner squad. TECH outshot the Dawgs 21-6. Bulldog Spencer Green had 11 saves with the most important one with 10 minutes remaining on a Roadrunner breakaway. “Our girls were composed,” said Bulldog Coach Bob Snell. “This game was a huge confidence builder for our team.” The Bulldogs record now stands at 5-2-3. The Roadrunners are 10-0-1. The Dawgs host Del Sol Thursday and Moapa Valley on Monday October 27.
