The Yucca Valley High School boys soccer teams played an exciting game away in Twentynine Palms on Thursday. Varsity won 2-1, and JV shut out the Wildcats, 1-0.
By Yucca Valley JV Coach Adan Mendoza
The Yucca Valley High School boys soccer teams played exciting games in Twentynine Palms Thursday. Both JV and Varsity won their matches against the Wildcats, marking the end of the Wildcats’ three-year streak, but barely missed taking home the coveted Elks Cup trophy.
JV entered the second half of the game with an even score of 0-0, but managed to get a goal past the Wildcats during the last quarter of the game. Senior Tony Shama was named Player of the Match for scoring the winning goal. “We won the 50-50 balls,” said assistant Coach Jorge Rodriguez, “This was a great end to the season.”
With the Elks Cup trophy at stake, the crowds on both sides were kept at the edge of their seats. The Trojans took a promising lead, with the first goal scored during the first half and a second goal made during the second half. With their previous loss against Twentynine Palms at 1-2, the Trojans needed to maintain their two-goal lead in order to guarantee the Elks Cup, but a last-minute goal scored against them led to penalty kicks to break the even score. Both teams presented their best five players to take a shot at the goal, and though it seemed evenly matched, the Trojans eventually lost, after a single kick failed to make it into the goal.
“The whole team played well,” said head coach Jorge Rodriguez, “Our seniors really inspired everyone on the team.” Rodriguez called the game the best of the season and congratulated his players for beating their cross-town rivals. Senior defenders Alam Mendoza, Brody Arnold, Daniel Goddard, and senior midfielder Kyler Harlow were all named players of the match.
Both teams ended the season with scores better than last, with JV at 3 wins, 2 ties, and 9 losses, and varsity at 2 wins, 1 tie, and 11 losses. Their win against Twentynine Palms was an exciting conclusion to this year’s improving YVHS soccer program. A soccer banquet will be held for players, family members, friends, and supporters at Yucca Valley High School’s MPR, Saturday, February 9, beginning at 4 p.m.
By Twentynine Palms Head Coach Nathan Niles
The Twentynine Palms boys’ soccer team lost a tight game on Thursday night against the Trojans of Yucca Valley in Twentynine Palms. Great team play and tight defense sparked the Wildcats throughout the game. The Wildcats had many shots on goal and opportunities to score. Junior Melvin Ballinas scored on a penalty kick late for the Wildcats. The final score ended at 2-1.
However, the team goals in both legs of the Elks Cup ended tied and the teams went to a penalty kick shootout for rights to the Elks Cup. Keeper Juan Duran had one save and the Wildcats won the Cup in the shootout, 5-3. Shooters who scored were Ballinas, Adan Herrera, Bryce Gussman, Miguel Sosa, and Manuel Rios.
The junior varsity ’Cats lost a thriller 1-0 in the last three minutes of the game, but played their best game of the season.
The Wildcat boys soccer coaching staff would like to thank the administration, fans, families and athletes for great support and encouragement in an action-packed and fun-filled season.
The varsity Wildcats ended the season with 10 wins and 14 losses, with a record of 2 wins and 12 losses in league.
