While its really treated much like NFL teams treat their preseason games, the Carson boys and girls soccer teams still had impressive openings on Friday at the Galena Tournament.
Carson's boys beat Spanish Springs 2-1 while the CHS girls defeated Manogue 4-1. For Carson's boys, Drew Good scored off of an assist from Brady Roser and Uriel Duran scored off of a rebound to give the Senators a 2-0 lead.
Duran's goal came off of a shot by Moses Fernandez that the goalie couldn't control. The Cougars scored off of a defensive mistake to finish the scoring.
Carson coach Jason Koop substitued liberally, but said he was still pleased with his team's play.
"They're not a bad squad," said Koop about Spanish Springs. "We played reasonably well for the first game."
Carson will be tested today when it faces Northern 3A power Truckee, one of Northern Nevada's top teams on any level. at 8 a.m. today at Reno's South Valleys Complex. Truckee was impressive in a 5-0 win over Galena.
Koop said he expected both teams to play their starters about 15-20 minutes in the game which consists of 25-minute halves. "That will give us an indicator of where we're at," Koop said.
Helaine Berris and Kayla Sanchez were among those who scored for Carson, which led 3-0 at halftime. Manogue scored its only goal on a defensive mistake in the second half.
Brandi Vega didn't play after twisting her ankle in the first five minutes, but the injury isn't considered to be serious. Carson coach Randy Roser said Vega may play today.
Roser kept his starting 11 in the game for the first half and then went to his bench for the second half.
"We completely dominated the first half," Roser said. "We still played really well (in the second half). "It was a great start for the girls. They did play really well. It was really nice soccer."
Roser also praised the play of goalie Jennifer Johnson. "She was distributing real well," Roser said. "She really set up a lot of our attacks."
In other games, Galena's boys also lost to Manogue on penalty kicks after playing to a scoreless tie in regulation. Galena's girls beat Incline 3-1 and Reno 4-0 while the Douglas High girls beat North Tahoe 2-0.
Carson's boys also Galena at 11 a.m. and Manogue at 2 p.m. while the CHS girls will play Galena at 10 a.m., Reno at 1 p.m. and also at 3 p.m. The boys and girls championship games will be at 5 p.m.
DOUGLAS BOYS WIN TWO
Douglas won twice at the Elko Tournament, beating Dayton 2-0 and White Pine 6-0. Against Dayton, Eddie Vega had both assists, including a beautiful one on an indirect kick from 30 yards that set up Jeff Crozier for a goal. Vega assisted Edgar Arceo on the other goal.
Jose Alcaraz and Crozier combined to post the shutout with Crozier playing the last 15 minutes of the regulation-80 minute game in goal.
Against White Pine, Vega had three goals and an assist, and Arceo, Crozier and Brian Randell all scored once. Arceo, Kyle Gardner, Christian Salazar, Brian Jaggard and Robbie Forest all added an assist.
Alcaraz posted the shutout. Other standout efforts came from Ross Gardner, Ray Kaffer and Geoff Rahe.
Douglas will finish round robin play today against Spring Creek and could be heading for a showdown against unbeaten Elko.