Douglas High coach Fred Schmidt likes what he sees in his team. This year's club, Schmidt said, could be just as special as the 2000 team, which won the zone title.
The Tigers are in the middle of a run similar to the one that the 2000 team had after they defeated Carson 4-0 on Saturday at Carson High. Meanwhile, the Senators showed how far they have come by playing Douglas much tougher than the two teams' meeting earlier in the year.
After starting 2-2, Douglas is now 8-2-1. The 2000 team started 4-3, but won 12 straight games on its way to the zone title. The Tigers also lost to Carson 1-0 in the 2001 zone title game. "I compare this team to the team two years ago," Schmidt said.
Much like it did in 2000, this year's club has a strong nucleus of veterans and younger players that are now coming together, Schmidt said.
"We have a really good core group of seniors," he said. "This team is starting to look a lot like that team. I'm happy with the way we're playing."
Douglas trails South Tahoe by one point in the Sierra League standings and is still hoping it can win the league crown. Schmidt would like to see a scenario in which Carson beats South Tahoe, allowing the Tigers to win the league title.
"We're hoping that Carson will do it," Schmidt said. "They played us much better than at our place."
The Senators had a chance to jump out to an early lead against Douglas. Chrissy Katzorke passed the ball forward to Kristen Hale, who was alone on a breakaway. But Tiger goalie Andra Bryant came out to deny Hale.
Moments later, Douglas took the ball the length of the field and Christina Bradshaw scored on a shot from the right side that bounced off the right post and into the left corner of the net.
Douglas took a 2-0 halftime lead when Molly Hernandez scored fron the right side on a shot that snuck into the left corner of the net.
In the second half, Carson's Stephanie Giomi almost scored when he shot from the far left side bounced off the right post. Carolina Hernandez then sent a header off the rebound over the crossbar.
"We're getting there," Carson coach Mike Popp said. "We came out more aggressive.
"We're moving the ball well. They came out to play. I think they played an outstanding game."
But once again, Carson couldn't finish its scoring chances. "We definitely had our opportunities to score," Popp said. "We still need to work on finishing. We just can't get the ball in the net."
Carson should make the zone playoffs as the No. 4 seed from the Sierra League and Popp hopes his team can make a run in the playoffs.
"Hopefully by zone we'll be ready to take care of business," he said.
Douglas scored in the second half when Tracey Hawks scored off of Terran Hadlock's corner kick and Allison Chapman scored on a header.
"We made minor mistakes and they capitalized," Popp said. "That's what it's going to take to win games."
CARSON JVS 1, DOUGLAS 0
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Shannon Eng scored the winning goal for the Carson High girls junior varsity soccer team.
Sam Valerius, Ashley Briscoe and Krista Whisbar all played outstanding defense as Carson (9-0-2) posted its ninth shutout. Goalie Nikki Whitmer posted the shutout. Manda Kaylor also played well offensively and defensively for the Senators.