Carson boys gain revenge against Elko

Carson High's boys soccer team had a little score to settle with the Elko Indians.

The Senators have had a long time to remember that it was the Indians that kept them from going to last year's 4A state tournament with a 1-0 win in the zone tournament.

Carson got goals from Micah Laack and Brady Roser in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the match and rolled to a season-opening 3-1 victory Tuesday night at Carson.

"It (last year's game) was mentioned," Laack said. "A little bit but not a lot."

"We came out pumped up," Carson coach Jason Koop said. "Part of it was the end of last season when we lost 1-0. I know this was a non-league game, but the kids really wanted to come out strong and pressure them."

Mission accomplished.

Zach Weismann played a through ball to Laack, who outran two Elko defenders and beat Elko goalie Joshua Wood for a goal 39 seconds into the game.

"Zach's pass was perfect," Laack said. "We timed it right and got past the defense."

"It's in then out and then in," Koop said. "It starts from the back line. The first forward starting between their defender and the midfielder, and the pass goes to the forward who drops it off to the midfielder. The second forward is coming in at an angle behind the first forward and gets the ball."

Carson had another good run immediately after the goal, but Mats Boehnke's header went over the crossbar. At the 36:40 mark, Weismann was wide right on a shot.

Roser made it 2-0 at the 36:21 mark, scoring from short range. Roser was later shaken up and missed a portion of the second half.

"They came out and surprised us with their speed," Elko coach Jim Nesbit said. "We tried to make adjustments, but they didn't quite work. They are a talented team. They're very quick and decisive with the ball. The first 15 minutes we were shell-shocked."

Carson would go on to fire 21 more shots on goal, but came away empty. Elko, meanwhile, managed just four shots on goal in the first 40 minutes.

"I think we dominated the first half," Laack said. "We just didn't finish (shots)."

Laack and Blake Moreland made a couple of nice centers, but Carson came away empty each time.

Weismann made it 3-0 in the 58th minute when he followed in a rebound when Matt Tillitt's shot went off an Elko defender.

Elko closed to 3-1 when Steven Shelley took advantage of a defensive lapse by Carson and drove one past goalie Brandon Briggs, who was credited with six saves. Briggs made one big save down the stretch, making a diving stop in the 75th minute.

Koop praised the play of defenders Drew Heller, Jon Nuthall, Boehnke and Andrew Hill.

All in all, Koop seemed to be pleased.

"This was the first time we'd competed," Koop said. "They played in their own tournament last weekend.

"We had excellent opportunities to score. Typically, they'll start getting to the back of the net."

Carson visits Manogue for a 3 p.m. match on Sept. 6.

JV BOYS

Carson 7, Elko 1

The Senators got two goals from Ian Gunn and a goal and two assists from Israel Lopez to easily subdue the Indians.

Carson led 3-1 at the half thanks to goals by Gunn, Lopez and Miguel Camacho.

Carson added four scores in the second half, as Gunn, Moises Romo-Fernandez, Guillermo Alonso and Christian Limon each found the back of the net.

Goalie Pedro Chavez, thanks to nice defensive work by Derek Sanchez and Phillip Wortman, needed to make only five saves.