Rosales, Virgin Valley down The Meadows

Carlos Rosales entered this soccer season with visions of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a star goalkeeper.

But two games into the season, the Virgin Valley sophomore is carving out a niche as a center/midfielder.

And the Bulldogs are better off for it, having doubled their win total from last season.

Rosales had one goal and two assists Thursday in leading Virgin Valley to a 5-1 win at The Meadows. He has five goals and three assists in the Bulldogs’ first two games.

“He wanted to play goal before our first game against Boulder City,” Virgin Valley coach Bob Snell said. “We pulled him aside and said, 'Look, we’re gonna go with Tim (Cook). We need you on the field.’

“He was a little upset, but after that game, he said, 'OK, coach.’ ”

That game, a 5-2 win over Boulder City, was the Bulldogs’ first victory over the Eagles in 10 years.

And Thursday, Virgin Valley (2-0) surpassed its win count from last season’s 1-11-5 campaign.

“I love playing goalkeeper, but now I think I’m going to stay on the field and help the team out,” Rosales said.

He scored in the second half Thursday, helping Virgin Valley quickly extend its 1-0 halftime lead.

Forward James Pollock scored two goals for the Bulldogs, who got one goal each from midfielders Danny Medina and Tanner Tichenor.

Pollock and midfielder Luis Rodriguez each had an assist, and goalkeeper Cook tallied six saves.

After managing with 12 or 13 players for most of last season, the Bulldogs have 22 this year.

“The difference is numbers,” Snell said. “We have depth and speed this year.”

Virgin Valley also has “better control of the ball” this season, Rosales said.

The Bulldogs held only a 17-13 edge in shots, but the Mustangs failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, particularly in the second half.

“We started well,” The Meadows coach Garry Shackley said. “Like the other team, we needed to get some of the younger players in, and that allowed them to get some goals.”

The Mustangs’ lone score, an Alex Karabachev goal on an assist from Ofir Barashy, cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 2-1 midway through the second half.

Shackley was encouraged with the play of reserves Joshua Wexler and Corin Galati but said his team needs to improve its chemistry.

“The kids can do a lot better,” Shackley said. “We didn’t play with much width. We tended to be too much down the middle.

“A little too much individualism and not enough team play, so that’s what we’ve got to concentrate on. ...They wanted it more than we did, and that’s probably the reason they got the 'W.’ ”

Though Snell is ecstatic about the progress the Bulldogs have made, he knows they have a ways to go before they are on par with Class 3A Southern League foe Faith Lutheran, which reached the semifinals of the 3A state tournament last year.

“Maybe they’re just young and carefree,” Snell said.

And now, 2-0.