ROUNDUP: Virgin Valley boys remain grounded, rout Moapa Valley
Virgin Valley’s boys soccer team had never been a No. 1 seed in the Class 3A Southern League tournament.
The Bulldogs weren’t certain what the view from the penthouse was supposed to look like nor what to expect as a heavy favorite in a league semifinal.
And none of that showed Thursday.
Virgin Valley dominated in every aspect of the game, routing Moapa Valley, 8-0 in a semifinal match at Bettye Wilson Park. Virgin Valley (14-1-2) will meet Boulder City in the league final Saturday.
“Since we clinched the regular season title two weeks ago, our main focus was to stay grounded and just continue to play well,” Virgin Valley coach Bob Snell said. “They’re enjoying the moment, but they’re still working hard.”
Pedro Carminatti tallied three goals and an assist, and Will Lara had two goals for the Bulldogs, who led 4-0 at the half.
Moapa Valley (2-10-2), which needed two overtimes and a penalty-kick shootout to win a play-in game Wednesday, couldn’t keep up.
“It’s still Moapa Valley, and these kids get up for Moapa,” Snell said. “Moapa had nothing to lose in this match.”
“It’s still Moapa Valley, and these kids get up for Moapa,” Snell said. “Moapa had nothing to lose in this match.”
Joel Medina, Carlos Cano and Miguel Martinez also scored for the Bulldogs, who finished league play with a 7-0-1 record. Nathan Lee made two saves to earn the shutout. Virgin Valley attemped 26 shots to Moapa Valley’s three.
Boulder City 1, The Meadows 0 — Daniel Andrades’ goal midway through the second half, and a little bit of luck in the first half lifted Boulder City (9-2-4) into the league title match.
Andrades scored off an assist from Todd Teepen, and the Eagles’ defense held the rest of the way, limiting The Meadows (5-5-2) to just two shots on goal in the match.
Still, Boulder City survived a penalty kick in the first half. A foul inside the box gave The Meadows a penalty kick midway through the first half. But the Mustangs’ shot never had a chance, sailing well over the cross bar. The Meadows later misfired on another excellent scoring chance from 10 yards out.
Richard Pappas made two saves to record the shutout.
GIRLS
Boulder City 2, Moapa Valley 1 — Boulder City’s girls (11-4) needed a spark after watching underdog Moapa Valley (4-11-1) score a tying goal in the second half.
It only took Tasja Toumasis one minute to provide it.
Toumasis scored the winning goal midway through the second half, just one minute after the Pirates’ Ashley Nevey had tied the match, and lifted Boulder City into the Class 3A Southern League final.
The Eagles will meet White Pine on Saturday.
“The tide was turning in their favor,” Boulder City coach Duncan Stark said. “We needed that goal.”
Melissa Stewart scored a first-half goal for Boulder City.
White Pine 2, Virgin Valley 1 — Sierra Harris scored twice in the first half, and the Bobcats’ (3-12-1) defense bent but didn’t break to hold off Virgin Valley.
Kiera Ogden scored a second-half goal for the Bulldogs (6-12-1).
