It was a rollicking road week for the Pershing County High School soccer team. On Wednesday they beat Battle Mountain with a final score of 2-0. Friday, they traveled to Incline and lost to the Highlanders 6-2.
On Saturday, Pershing County lost 15-0 to the North Tahoe Lakers, the defending 2A state champions. For the week, the Mustangs added four goals, bringing their season total to 20.
PCHS blanks
Battle Mountain
It was the second competition for the rival schools this season. Pershing County came out on top both times (2-1, 2-0). Wednesday's (Oct. 12) game was close all the way through with both teams determined to win.
In the second half, sophomore halfback Yasmin Acosta shot past the Longhorn goalkeeper to score the first goal of the game. She scored the second goal on a penalty kick.
"Our defense did an excellent job of shutting down Battle Mountain and not letting them score. Anika Happy, Jillian Bridges, Riley Harvey, and Lexie Portillo made it difficult for Battle Mountain to get shots off. Lily Anderson-Burt didn't let anything into the goal," coach Matt Fuller said.
Mustangs net
two goals against
the Highlanders
It was the second go-around for Incline and Pershing County this season. Incline won both times (4-2, 6-2) but the Mustangs made the Highlanders fight for the wins.
The first half of Friday's game ended in a near tie (3-2), with Pershing County trailing.
Miya Gallagher scored both of Pershing County's goals off passes from Rylee Renfroe. However, in the second half Incline overwhelmed Pershing with three goals.
"Our attack did a great job challenging Incline's defense and getting shots off. Ariana Garcia, Grace Kalsem and Valerie Franco challenged Incline on every play.
Unfortunately, they jumped out on us in the second half and we couldn't match them. Overall, the ladies played well," Fuller said. "We're proud of how they played Incline."
PCHS ends week in Tahoe City
Pershing County went 0-2 against the North Tahoe Lakers for the season (8-0, 15-0). The Lakers’ boys and girls teams each won 2A state trophies last year.
The Laker girls came into Saturday's game 14-0 in the Northern 2A.
They've now blanked Pershing County, White Pine, Battle Mountain, Incline and West Wendover twice. They've blanked Yerington and Sage Ridge once. So far, only Whittell has scored against them.
The Warriors lost 7-1 to the Lakers in Tahoe City earlier this month.
Upcoming games
Pershing County plays its last home game of the season this Saturday at 11 a.m. They'll host West Wendover (0-11). Pershing County beat the Wolverines 5-2 on the road earlier this year.
The sports teams traditionally honor their seniors at the last home game of each season.
It is their last time playing on their home field. Lovelock's soccer seniors include Hannah Gonzalez, Julie Chandler, Jillian Bridges and Cora Trowbridge. Junior defender Rylee Renfroe is also graduating early with the Class of 2023.
Matt and Cassidie Fuller and the girls hope for a big turnout.
The regular season ends with road games against Yerington (Oct. 25) and Whittell (Oct. 28). Both games start at 2 p.m.
