X

Babb saves season as Moapa Valley boys win play-in match

Robby Babb literally saved Moapa Valley’s boys soccer season Wednesday.

The sophomore goalkeeper made eight saves in overtime, then stopped a potential match-ending penalty kick in a shootout, and finally saved a potential match-tying penalty kick in sudden-death penalty kicks.

As a result, Babb and the Pirates get to play again on Thursday.

Moapa Valley and White Pine played to a 1-1 tie through two overtimes in a Class 3A Southern League play-in game in Mesquite before the Pirates won a shootout, 4-3 in the sixth round.

Moapa Valley (2-9-2) advances to meet league champion Virgin Valley in a semifinal Thursday at 6 p.m. at Bettye Wilson Park.

“He was unconscious,” Moapa Valley coach Gerald Swanson said of his goalkeeper. “Babb put on a clinic.”

After the teams played two scoreless 15-minute overtimes, Moapa Valley went first in the shootout and trailed 3-1 after three rounds.

The Pirates scored and White Pine hit the crossbar in the fourth round to make it 3-2.

In the fifth round, Moapa Valley scored, and Babb dived to make a save on the White Pine shot, forcing sudden-death.

Hector Cervantes connected for a goal for Moapa, putting the Pirates ahead for the first time in the shootout. Babb preserved the win with a save high on the left side of the goal on a shot by White Pine’s Jacob Bradshaw.

Saje Gale scored in the first half for the Bobcats (1-10-2).

Dylan Smith tied the match for Moapa Valley with 11 minutes left in the first half.

.....We hope you appreciate our content. Subscribe Today to continue reading this story, and all of our stories.
Subscribe now and enjoy unlimited access!
Unlimited Digital Access
99¢ per month for the first 2 months
Exit mobile version