In high school soccer, the scoreboard tells only part of the story.
On Friday the Lady Mustangs lost against Whittell (6-0), but Eva Matuszyk observed a new development in the first home game of the season.
“The score does not reflect what the Mustangs did,” said the assistant coach. “This is the first year I’ve seen us play a good portion of the game on Warrior’s side of the field. We had quite a few shots too.”
The lake schools, like Whittell, are Pershing County’s fiercest competitors.
Many Zephyr Cove athletes play in year-round soccer clubs — and it shows. They finished the 2018 season ranked 13-1, overall, and undefeated in the Northern 3A League.
And, yet.
“It was pretty great what we were doing,” continued Matuszyk. “The first half was rough, but we had the ball on their side of the field for a good 25-30 minutes of the second half. There’s the potential to get some goals on them next time.”
Whittell’s speed and skill at finding through passes make them tough to beat, concluded the coach. But the Mustangs may get in a few good kicks yet.
Pershing County gets another chance against Whittell next month in Zephyr Cove (Oct. 18).
On Saturday Pershing County took its game to Dayton and lost 2-1.
In the first half, Kylee Fuller scored a goal off a free kick. Next, Dayton slammed in a penalty kick.
Throughout the weekend Haylie Leavitt, Pershing’s senior goalie, racked up saves.
“But penalty kicks are always tough, and this shot was no different,” said Matuszyk. In the second half, a Dust Devil broke through the Mustang’s defense and scored to win the competition.
“The final score wasn’t what we wanted, and we could have done better, but it was still a good game,” said Matuszyk.
Those who missed last week’s home soccer games have two more chances this weekend. Pershing hosts Yerington on Friday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m. The next day they greet Fernley at 10 a.m.
They won’t be home again until they play Battle Mountain on Thursday, Oct. 3.
The Lady Mustangs thrive on hometown attention. The 14-girl team hopes for packed bleachers full of vocal fans.
