It became a little tense in the end, but the Carson High boys soccer team maintained its position in the Sierra League playoff race with a 2-1 win over Hug at home on Saturday.
The Senators improved to 4-3 in league play, staying at least in fourth place. The league's top four teams will advance to the zone playoffs.
Even though Hug is winless, the Hawks gave the Senators all they could handle. Carson again was plagued by several missed chances, hitting the post twice and Hug's goalie several times with its shots. Carson could only score two goals despite taking 27 shots.
"It could have actually been 4-1," said Carson coach Jason Koop, who added that Hug is much improved. "They're not a pushover.
"Overall I thought we played pretty well. One of these days we're going to get those all to go."
Carson took a 1-0 halftime lead when Edgar Gomez scored off of a cross from Enrique Mendoza. "A good cross and a good finish," Koop said.
The Senators took a 2-0 lead on another cross when Mendoza scored off of an assist from Micah Laack.
But with 20 minutes left, Hug cut the lead on a penalty kick after a questionable call. It appeared that Brian Arce had made a clean tackle to take the ball away, but he was called for a foul on the play.
Koop said the play of Julio DeLeon at center midfield late in the second half helped Carson maintain the lead. "He gave us a little bit of a spark," Koop said.
Carson also moved Loren Wooldridge back on defense and he, Jose Aguilar, Chris Thorson and Arce all played well defensively as did goalie Bud Kop. Koop also praised the play of Mendoza and Gomez.
"Enrique has been doing a good job on the outside," Koop said. "Edgar causes a lot of trouble up there just because of his speed. He makes the defenders have to play."
The Senators face two tough tests this week when they play at Galena on Wednesday and at home at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Northern 3A power North Tahoe. Galena should give Carson a good indication where it stands in a possible Northern 4A playoff matchup.
"Galena will be a good test for us," Koop said. "I'm not too worried about the result since it's a nonleague match.
"I'm really looking forward to see what they got. A couple good tests coming up. It should definitely be a challenge."