MINDEN - Even 11 months later, memories of a disappointing finish to the Douglas High School girls soccer team's 1998 season still linger.
Though unbeaten during the regular season, Douglas received a bad break when leading scorer Sarah Shearer sustained an injury that prevented her from going into the playoffs.
The result?
Punchless Douglas was shut out at home in the first round of the Northern 4A zone tournament by a Reed squad that advanced all the way to the finals.
Shearer is back, only now the Tigers are flashing a more balanced offensive attack. The result? Douglas is undefeated and has outscored 12 opponents by a combined 65-2 margin, including a 9-0 conference triumph Saturday at home against Lowry.
Eight players reached the score column as Douglas scored all nine goals in the first half and then coasted home with a win that improved the team's record to 11-0-1. "The thing I liked best about this game was that eight different people scored," Douglas coach Fred Schmidt said. "We wanted to have more than a couple of kids who could score. That was something we felt would be critical and we're getting that. I expect by the end of the season, we're going to have five kids score double figure goals."
Julia Spaulding scored one goal, increasing her team-high total to 14 for the season, and she distributed two assists to help lead the Tigers past winless Lowry. Shearer scored two goals, giving her 10 for the season, plus she added her 14th assist. Lindsay Porter also had one goal and two assists and Amber Gwinn added one goal and one assist.
Douglas got on track in the sixth minute when Stephanie Webb fed a pass inside the box to Kali Schmidt, who punched in her ninth goal of the season. Webb had two assists on the day.
Shearer put in the next two goals and Tarran Hadlock scored in the 21st minute to make it 4-0. Aimee Smith, Jessica Girdner and Porter scored three goals during a three-minute span as the Tigers extended their lead to 9-0 before halftime.
Credit for the shutout was shared by regular goalkeeper Ashley Sulprizio and Mallory Moore, a sophomore up from the J.V. squad who finished up in the second half.
After breezing through an easy stretch on the schedule, the Tigers are going to have to get back to some serious business this week when they host Galena on Tuesday and then visit Reed on Saturday.
"We have six games left in the regular season and five are against playoff teams, so we're going to find out how good we really are," Schmidt said.
Carson 2, McQueen 0
Ali Banister assisted on first-half goals to Allison Williamson and Kali Richey as the Senators defeated the Lancers in Reno to solidify their hold on second place in the Northern 4A Zone. Carson's record is now 8-2-1, behind Douglas' 11-0-1.
Carson had numerous opportunities to score, rifling 32 shots at the McQueen goal.
"The girls played outstanding," said Carson coach Mike Popp. "They worked the ball around the field well."
Senator goalkeeper Pam Williams picked up the shutout. Erika Landis was also recognized for her outstanding game.
Carson plays at Wooster on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Galena 2, Reed 2
RENO - The Grizzlies (7-2-2) jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half, but late goals gave the Raiders a tie and spoiled Galena's chance at avenging a 1-0 loss earlier this season in a key Division I matchup.
The loss put Galena three losses behind Reed in the standings, and although the Raiders have yet to face Carson and Douglas, the top two teams in Division II, the Grizzlies will need help to win the division.
Patricia Garrick opened the scoring with a Galena goal in the eighth minute. Annie Baxter followed with another in the 31st off a pass from Kendra Saunders.
Reed broke onto the scoreboard when Stacy Texeira found the net in the 44th minute, and then Erin Gallo added a goal in the 74th to tie it up.
Baxter had a chance at a late goal, but it sailed just over the crossbar and out of bounds.
"Basically it was the same game twice," Galena coach Tom Canino said. "We controlled it the whole way, but we didn't get the win. We had our opportunities, but we couldn't finish."
Galena goalie Jayleen Chen had nine saves, while Reed's Jen Mavis had eight.
Galena travels to face Douglas at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Northern 4A Boys' Soccer
McQueen 2, Carson 0
Two second-half goals lifted the Lancers past Carson and dropped the Senators into a tie for fourth place with Douglas.
"We were pretty flat," said Carson coach Bruce Bergantz. "It was a disappointing game for us. We just couldn't get going."
Carson will take a forfeit from Wooster on Wednesday, then host Sparks at 1 p.m. Saturday.
3A Division II Girls' Soccer
Yerington 7, Lovelock 1
The entire Lion lineup turned in a good performance as Yerington won easily in at home. Yerington is at Whittell on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Boys 3A Soccer
Lovelock 6, Yerington 1
Alex Tapia had the Lions lone goal in its divisional loss to the Mustangs.
"It was not our best showing," said Lion coach John Schleigmilch. "Lovelock has had an incredible up-and-down season, but they're playing well now."
Yerington's record is now 2-3-1 with a game at Whittell on Saturday.
Whittell 3, Dayton 1
Jose Marquez opened the scoring with a goal for Dayton, but Whittell had three quick scores by the end of the first half and cruised to the victory.
Marquez scored in the 15th minute, but the Warriors scored i the 23rd and 24th minutes to take the lead. Whittell added another goal seven minutes later.
"I was very proud of our performance today," Dayton coach Milko Vasquez said. "Especially in the second half, we played them tough. We really just had a few lapses early on. We truly scared Whittell today."
Jason Hernandez, Shaun Merrill and Dustan Page all were strong on defense for Dayton (1-7, 0-2 Division II). George Pass made 23 saves at goalkeeper, while John Ring, Seve Luchetti, Carlos Reyes and Matt Wattey all contributed solid performances.
Dayton hosts Incline at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Girls Cross Country
Carson High freshman Shanna Sparks was the top frosh finisher in the Stanford Invitational's Division II race on Saturday in Palo Alto. She finished third overall in 18:35 over the five-kilometer course, nine seconds behind Robyn Stevens of Vacaville, Calif.
Sparks was the only Senator runner entered in the invitational.
The Senators host the Carson Invite on Friday at Fuji Park.
3A Football
North Tahoe 16, Rite of Passage 15
Bryan Collins rushed for 142 yards, one touchdown and a pair of key two-point conversions as North Tahoe turned back Rite of Passage in the Division I opener for both sides.
Collins scored on a 6-yard run in the second quarter and Brett Brolliar added a 2-yard touchdown run in the third period to give the Lakers a 16-7 lead.
Rite of Passage came back in the final period as quarterback William Castro scored on a 1-yard run and then completed a pass to Josh Green for the two-point conversion.
Castro completed 9 of 27 passes for 188 yards. Broderick Deed caught four balls for 65 yards and Andrew Wilson had two receptions for 81 yards.
3A Division II Volleyball
Dayton 3, Lovelock 0
Kristen Adams led Dayton with six aces and the Dust Devils swept to a 15-10, 15-10, 15-2 victory over the visiting Mustangs.
Amy Sceirine added 8 assists, and Adams led the team in kills with four along with Kendall Castellani.