The Pershing County High School girls soccer team stood onstage in the PCHS auditorium last Tuesday night at the fall sports awards.
Seventeen were local girls but the other two crossed an ocean to reach Lovelock, Nevada.
Exchange students excel
Last Tuesday, Coaches Matt and Cassidie Fuller honored all 19 of them, individually and as a team. The event was well-attended by parents, grandparents and fans.
Midway through the Fuller’s presentation, six juniors stepped forward – Jillian Bridges, Lex Chandler, Marina Corcuera, Hannah Gonzalez, Tavis Hunt and Cora Trowbridge.
Corcuera, an exchange student from Spain, had never played organized soccer before. Spain does not offer high school sports. Instead, student athletes join sports clubs. Sidonie Cassoret, a senior player from France, had the same experience.
That didn’t stop Corcuera from scoring a goal against Battle Mountain in one of Pershing County’s last games of the year. Nor did it stop Cassoret’s teammates from naming her the most improved defender.
Top awards for four
The 2A coaches agreed that four Pershing players deserved extra recognition. The Mustang soccer team also singled out some players, including the winners of the Stinky Gear Award (the whole team).
Freshman goalkeeper Lilly Anderson-Burt’s 61 saves earned an Honorable Mention from the league.
Anna Jimenez’s teammates voted her the most fun player.
The 2A gave the graduating senior an Honorable Mention.
Yasmine Acosta and Kylee Fuller each made the second team, All-Conference. Acosta is a freshman, a rarity in the All-Conference.
The Mustang soccer team named her the Offensive Player of the Year. She had 10 goals and three assists for the season.
Fuller’s teammates said that she had the best ball control.
The Mustangs named Miya Gallagher the Defensive Player of the Year. They chose Cora Trowbridge as the Toughest Player on the Field.
“Cora is one of our most physical players out there,” said Fuller. “She plays clean She hits hard and she lets them know, don’t come back to this area again.”
The girls named Jillian Bridges the most vocal player. Fuller emphasized the importance of communication.
Team captains
Coach Fuller noted that Gallagher is the first sophomore to fill the leadership role usually held by juniors and seniors.
Tavis Hunt, also a captain, was out with an injury early in the season but came back determined to “hit the ground running,” according to the coach. “She never missed a practice and knew exactly what she needed to do,” he added.
By a unanimous vote, the Mustangs chose Cora Trowbridge as a team captain for the 2022 soccer squad.
Gallagher, Hunt and Trowbridge will help lead the team next year. Kylee Fuller completed her second year as captain. She graduates this spring. Her coach and father Matt Fuller says he will miss her.
Freshmen and sophomores finish strong
According to the coach, there’s a world of difference between middle and high school soccer. “Everything speeds up,” he said, congratulating the younger team members on their staying power.
The freshmen include Acosta, Diana Pineda, Kimi Trowbridge, Kimberly Hinds, Lily Anderson-Burt and Grace Kalsem.
Mikayla Leavitt, Rylee Renfroe and Miya Gallagher are sophomores. Sophomore Kendall Macedo manages the team. “She does a fantastic job,” said Fuller, complimenting her video skills.
Coach thanks
soccer fan,
Jordan Trowbridge
Jordan Trowbridge accompanied her sister Cora on the stage and had a smile for everyone.
“Jordan never missed a game. She’s one of our best cheerleaders and we love having her out there,” said Fuller.
