Mustangs hand Pirates first league loss in shootout

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-07-07

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MURPHY — Hidden Valley scored late in regulation, then emerged victorious in a shootout to hand Phoenix its first boys soccer loss in Skyline Conference play, 2-1 on Monday. Following a scoreless overtime, Hidden Valley’s Ruben Martinez banged in the winning goal in the shootout. “We we’re lazy today,” said Phoenix coach Dennis Flenner, noting that the Pirates' complancency in the final minutes allowed the Mustangs to break through. “I’m not proud of our performance. It’s just one of those things that happens. You find yourself ahead, then lightning strikes and all of a sudden you’re in overtime. This game is so fragile. If you don’t take care of it, anything can happen. I know we didn’t give our best effort. We’re a much better team than what we showed and that’s on me.” Phoenix's Rosendo Flores-Juarez scored in the 44th minute on a pass from Luis Ascencion to give the Pirates (8-2, 6-1 Skyline) a 1-0 lead. Hidden Valley's Matthew Abel got off a quality shot with less than five minutes to play and evened the score at 1-all. In the shootout, both teams were tied at four makes apiece when Martinez connected and the Pirates’ final shooter missed. “Man, this conference is tough,” said Flenner. “You can’t blink or take anyone lightly. We’ve got our hands full for the rest of the season, but we’re ready.” Girls Soccer HIDDEN VALLEY 4, PHOENIX 1: At Talent, Phoenix avoided a shutout when Lupita Allegra found the back of the net on an assist by Liliana Mejia with a few minutes remaining at Colver Field. The Pirates (1-8-1, 0-7 Skyline Conference) held strong in the first half against Hidden Valley (8-2, 6-1 Skyline), which is tied with North Valley for the lead in the Skyline. The Mustangs clung to a 1-0 lead at halftime but pulled away with two goals in the first four minutes of the second half.