Roughriders defend home pitch against Bobcats

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Tate Smith (10) makes his way through Benson defenders. Pima defeated the Bobcats 6-1. The Roughriders will host Willcox on Wednesday, with the JV game starting at 4 p.m. and the varsity at 6 p.m.

Pima avenges earlier loss with 6-1 victory at home

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Andrew “Briggs” Peterson races Benson’s goalie to the ball.

PIMA – The Pima Roughriders (2-0 region, 3-6 overall) avenged an earlier loss on the road at Benson on Sept. 17 and defended their home pitch on Tuesday with an impressive 6-1 victory. 

Photo by Darwin Weech: Kera Clifford (5) drives the ball against Benson on Tuesday.

Pima was in control the entire match, taking an early 3-0 lead into halftime. Pressing defense and continually advancing the ball led to the Roughriders having multiple scoring opportunities.

The Riders continued to press in the second half and quickly added a couple more goals to have an insurmountable 5-0 lead. In the end, the visiting Bobcats left disappointed as the Roughriders blew them out, 6-1.  

Photo By Darwin Weech: Marshall Hoopes (11) gears up for a big kick.

With no rest for the weary, the Roughriders will turn and burn with another home match on Wednesday, Oct. 1, against the Willcox Cowboys. Pima has split its matches against Willcox this year, with the Wildcats coming out on top during the Boys Longhorn Invitational on Aug. 22, 1-0, and the Roughriders defeating the Cowboys at their house 4-0 on Sept. 3. The Roughriders will be looking to make it two in a row against the Cowboys on Wednesday. Willcox will also bring its junior varsity team, so one match will start at 4 p.m. and the other is set for 6 p.m. This is a region match. 

The Roughriders will then take off a week before visiting Willcox on Wednesday, Oct. 8. They will then have two weeks off before their final regular season match on the road against the Tucson St. Augustine Wolves on Tuesday, Oct. 21, starting at 4 p.m. 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Van Papa (17) sends one toward the goalie.