After the Virgin Valley High School boys soccer team went through the regular season, stamped by winning the 3A South League Championship, it continued to show why they are the top dog, capturing the league tournament title in the playoffs.
By winning the league championship, Virgin Valley faced the runner-up from the 3A North, Truckee, at Cristo Rey St. Viator High School in Las Vegas.
The Bulldogs allowed a first half goal but were unable to score in the second half, losing 1-0.
Although the season came to end a little early, there was still a lot to be happy about. Virgin Valley captured the 3A regular season league title and advanced to the state tournament for the second time three years.
During their postseason run, Virgin Valley defeated No. 4 Pahrump Valley 5-0, including two goals each from senior Andrae Duran and sophomore Luis Quijada. Then in the 3A South League Championship Game, the Bulldogs took down their rivals, Moapa Valley, with a 2-1 victory. It marked the first time either team defeated one another after 1-1 and 0-0 ties during the regular season.
Lara and senior Gauge Draney both found the back of the net as senior Alexandro Flores recorded an assist in the win.
As the postseason awards are being unveiled, senior Karson Garrett, who led his team with 1,505 minutes played and 189 steals on defense, competed in the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association All-Star Game on Dec. 3.
In addition, Quijada was named the Southern Nevada High School Soccer Coaches Association Player of the Year. Playing on both sides of the ball, the sophomore recorded eight goals offensively and 130 steals on defense.
To top it off, head coach Jr. Flores earned Coach of the Year honors.
For the third time in the last four years, the Virgin Valley High School girls soccer team reached the 3A state tournament.
However, in all three state semifinal games during that stretch, they have not been able to get that elusive ticket to the state championship, including this year, falling to North Tahoe, 2-0.
The Lakers scored in both halves to reach the state finals.
Ultimately, it was another great season for the Bulldogs, highlighted by winning the 3A South League Playoffs over top-seeded Equipo, 5-3 in the penalty shootout.
In the 3A South League semifinals, the No. 2 seeded Bulldogs defeated Moapa Valley in overtime, 2-1 as a free kick found its way to the back of the net to give Virgin Valley its spot in the state tournament.
It marked the second time in eight days the Bulldogs were victorious over the Pirates as the two teams recorded a 1-1 tie in their first meeting this season on Sept. 8.