The scoreboard may have said that the Carson High boys soccer team won the game. But the Senators didn't walk off the field like winners.
"A win, yet a loss," said one of the Carson players as he walked off the field after the Senators had struggled to a 4-3 win over North Valleys on Saturday at home in a game that figured to be a much easier affair for CHS.
"Maybe some of the kids think they're better than what we are," Carson coach Jim Nealis said. "We're not playing up to our ability and that could hurt us."
North Valleys stunned Carson (8-0) with a goal on a free kick just outside the goal box to tie the score 2-2 in the first 1 1/2 minutes of the second half.
Carson took a 3-2 lead on a perfect corner kick from John Shorrock that was headed in by Bryce Burgess.
"Bryce had a great goal off of his head," Nealis said. "We needed it."
The Senators took a 4-2 lead when Andrew James scored on a shot from the right side that deflected off a defender. North Valleys scored in injury time after regulation time had run out for the final margin.
Landon Roser scored in the first half on an assist from Jeff Rogers and Shorrock scored to give Carson a 2-1 halftime lead. Others taking shots for Carson included Jason Dankworth, Kirkwood Harris, Christian Losche and Jesus Cid.