By Mike Blake
A hat trick by sophomore Tristan Beckham propelled the visiting Kern Valley Broncs soccer team to a 6-0 win over Desert, January 23, to improve to 4-6 overall and 4-5 in HDL play. The loss dropped the host Scorpions to 1-13 and 1-9 in HDL competition
Beckham had an all-around golden game with his three goals and eight steals in 70 minutes of playing time. The Broncs also had goals from senior Logan Lambert, senior Jack Montgomery and senior Jess Lambert. A suffocating defense amassed 63 steals held the Scorpions to 10 shots on goal. The tight defense was led by Montgomery, who collected 10 steals, and was supported by Beckham (eight steals), senior Jesse Wagner (seven steals), senior Victor Fregoso (seven steals), Lambert (six steals), sophomore Jackson Weghorst (five steals) and senior Carson Strange (five steals). Juniors John Beam and Glendale Gutierrez each added four steals and five other Broncs contributed one or two steals each.
Offensively, the Broncs took 15 shots and 11 of them were on goal. Beckham took five shots, four were on the mark and three found the net. Montgomery took three shots, Wagner and freshman Angel Oliveres each took two and Strange, Lambert and Weghorst each were credited with one shot.
The goaltending chores were split between Weghorst and junior Ira Baker, who each played 40 minutes and each was credited with five saves.
The Broncs were scheduled to play Rosamond (8-14-2, 7-5-1), Monday. Details and results were unavailable at press time. KV next takes to the pitch on February 1, at Cal City (10-7-1, 8-4-1 HDL).