By JV Coach Adan Mendoza
Yucca Valley High School varsity and junior varsity soccer teams played exciting games at home against Desert Mirage on Thursday.
The Yucca Valley junior varsity team held off Desert Mirage with a score of 0-0 until the second half, when the visitors managed to score two last-minute goals.
“There’s a reason that team is ranked among the highest in our division,” says junior varsity head Coach Adan Mendoza. “I don’t think they expected for us to put up such a tough fight. Despite our losses, I’m proud of the way these boys are defying expectations against these competitive teams.” Freshman JV captain Griffin Hilderbran was named player of the match for keeping a level head and leading the team to the very end.”
Meanwhile, varsity put on quite the show, keeping a 1-1 score with Desert Mirage until the last two minutes of the game, when a final penalty shot kept Yucca Valley from going into overtime. Head varsity coach Jorge Rodriguez says the coaching staff is happy with the team’s performance overall.
“We made a few small mistakes. Desert Mirage knew exactly how to play them to their advantage.”
Junior mid-fielder Angel Rodriguez was named player of the match for scoring an impressive indirect free kick forty yards out, that literally rocked the goalie.
“The ball ricocheted off the goalie to make into the goal box. It was no doubt, his best game of the season,” commented Rodriguez.
Both junior varsity and varsity teams are revving up for their next game against hometown rivals Twentynine Palms. With both Trojan and Wildcat teams keeping a similar pace of wins and losses against their CIF opponents, the upcoming game appears to be evenly matched. Says coach Adan Mendoza, “I could be optimistic, but based on our performance so far, I think we stand a pretty good chance at bringing home the Elks Cup trophy.”
The game will take place at Wildcat stadium, Tuesday, January 8, with junior varsity starting at 3 p.m. and varsity beginning at 5 p.m.
