For 65 minutes, the Douglas girls soccer team looked as if it was going to start a new winning streak against Carson. But Erin Stieber's goal in the 65th minute tied the game at 1-1, which is how the game finished on Thursday on a wet and slippery field at Carson High.
Since 1993, the Tigers are 10-1-5 against Carson, with their lone loss to the Senators coming last month in Minden when Carson beat Douglas 1-0.
And even though the rivals wanted a win in the rematch, both teams are pleased they won't head into next week's Northern 4A playoffs on a losing note.
"A tie is way better than a loss," Stieber said. "At the end of the game, we had some chances but everybody gets nervous towards the end."
"It was a playoff style game with all the players going after each and every loose ball," Douglas coach Fred Schmidt said. "It was fun for the players."
Carson finishes the regular season 14-1-1 and will be the Sierra League's No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Douglas, meanwhile, hasn't lost since its Sept. 26 loss to the Senators and finishes with a 12-3-1 regular season record. The Tigers will be the league's No. 2 seed for the tournament.
"I think we have a good chance at winning zone," Stieber said. "But like today, when we came from behind, we have to work together as a team."
Douglas goalie Ashley Sulprizio, who's missed the Tigers last two games because of strep throat, ended up playing against Carson. Schmidt didn't expect her to play. But before the game, Sulprizio told him that it's her senior year, it's Carson, and she's playing.
"We have a rule that if you don't practice all week, then you can't play in the game," Schmidt said. "But the team took a vote before the game, and wanted Ashley to play."
In the 22nd minute, Douglas went up 1-0 after an Amber Gwinn goal that came off an assist from Jessica Girdner. The Tigers had plenty of other scoring chances but couldn't find the back of the net.
"I thought Douglas dominated the first half," Carson coach Mike Popp said. "But in the second half, we started to play better."
Then in the 65th minute, Stieber scored the game-tying goal after the Senators pounded Sulprizio with several shots that missed. But Sulprizio couldn't stop Stieber's shot. Her shot was hit hard and low enough that the ball squirted off the grass and into the side of the net.
"It was going to take a great goal to beat Ashley," Schmidt said. "And Erin's goal was a great shot."
In the first round of zone on Tuesday, Carson will host McQueen (4-9-3), whom the Senators beat 3-1 earlier this season. Douglas will host Elko (5-7-4) also on Tuesday. The Tigers have already beaten the Indians 6-1 this season.
JUNIOR VARSITY
Douglas 4, Carson 2
Carson's bid for an undefeated season fell short in its final game of the season against arch rival Douglas.
The Senators finished their season with a 12-1-3 record.
Tiffany Spell and Katie Kotter scored goals for Carson. Katelyn Bessette and Stephanie Giomi played well defensively for the Senators.