Before his team's game against Fallon on Saturday, Carson High School coach Bruce Bergantz challenged the Senator midfielders to increase their offensive output.
The midfielders responded nicely to the coach's challenge, accounting for two goals and three assists in the Senators' 6-2 road win over the Greenwave.
"It was nice to see the midfielders being productive," said Bergantz, whose Senators' have clinched a Northern 4A playoff berth with their 10-5-2 record. "The midfield had been strong defensively in recent games, but we needed more offensive production - more aggressive play and shots - from them to keep the other team's goalkeeper on his toes."
With the midfielders in attack mode, the field opened up for Carson forwards Jeff Johnson and Jamie Calvo, who each scored within the first 15 minutes of the game to give the Senators an early 2-0 lead. Both goals were assisted by midfielder A.J. Bergantz.
Midfielder Matt Hohl then added an unassisted goal in the 21st minute to put Carson up 3-0.
The midfielder theme continued into the second half, as Bergantz gave Carson a 4-1 lead after taking a pass from Landon Roser.
Fallon cut the lead to 4-2 in the 53rd minute before Jeff Johnson and Dave Dwyer put the Greenwave away with goals in the final 15 minutes.
"We did well in our time of possession today," said Bergantz. "We played well together and worked the ball around well to gain quality shots. The team has been constantly improving in its last 3-4 games."
Carson has one game remaining in its regular season, with its game Wednesday at Reed (3:30 p.m.). The Senators have at least fourth place locked up in Division II, but can still finish in third place with a win over the Raiders combined with Reno loss.
4A Tennis
LAS VEGAS - Chris Ferguson-McIntyre and Joe Thornton teamed up to give Galena third place in the boys' doubles at the NIAA/U.S. Bank State Tennis Championships on Saturday.
Reno High School was the only other high placer from the North, taking second in girls' doubles.
3A Division II Boys' Soccer
Yerington 6, Dayton 1
The Lions jumped out to a 4-1 lead by halftime and cruised to victory over the Dust Devils (1-12, 0-8 Division II).
Nathan Aaker scored Dayton's only goal on a penalty kick in the first half. Chris Reed made seven saves for Dayton.
Carlos Reyes, Jason Hernandez, Jose Marquez and George Pass all turned in solid games for Dayton.
The Dust Devils travel to face Incline in a 5 p.m. game Wednesday.
3A Football
Bishop Manogue 48, Pershing County 14
The Miners scored the victory over the Mustangs, clearing up the Division II playoff picture.
If Manogue beats Dayton at 3 p.m. Friday, it clinches the division title and Pershing County will get the second playoff spot. If the Dust Devils defeat Manogue, it could force a three-way tie for first if Pershing County beats Whittell. The two playoff spots for the division would then be determined by tie-breaker.
Tahoe-Truckee 53, Fernley 7
TRUCKEE - Casey Nelson had a 48-yard touchdown run, keying Truckee's victory over Fernley, which remains winless in Division I play.
J.V. FOOTBALL
Dayton 37, Yerington 14
Matt Sumsion and Joel Kiraly scored two touchdowns each to lead Dayton High School to a 37-14 J.V. football victory at Yerington on Friday night.
Dayton scored on its first two possessions and never looked back en route to the win.
"We had a couple of injuries but we had some people step up and fill in very well," Dayton coach Craig Miller said.
The offensive line of Scott Bennett, Josh May, Brian Holt, Dan Lopez and Ryan Jacobsen helped pave the way for Dayton's running game.
Dayton wraps up the regular season this week at Bishop Manogue in Reno. The J.V. game will be played at 3 p.m. on Thursday and the varsity game Friday at 3 p.m.