A well-rested North Tahoe girls' soccer team took advantage of a day's rest and shut out Incline High School, 3-0, Saturday to advance to the championship match of the Northern 3A Regional Soccer Tournament.
North Tahoe plays Truckee at Damonte High School on Tuesday at 6 p.m., and Incline will play in the consolation match against Dayton. During the season, Truckee and North Tahoe tied 3-3, and he Wolverines blanked North Tahoe, 3-0, in their second match.
Saturday's match, which was delayed by a day, was played at Churchill County High School's Ed Arciniega Athletic Complex. Incline played its third match in as many days after defeating Spring Creek in a rematch on Friday.
The match had to be replayed because of an officiating error in the way penalty kicks were awarded at the end of two overtime periods.
North Tahoe coach Hans Paladini said the extra day helped the Lakers.
"I liked the way we played. We had good passing and won our share of 50-50 (of the balls)," he said.
Paladini said he saw Incline becoming tired midway through the first half.
"We were tired, and North Tahoe had a day off," lamented Incline coach John Paginelli. He said the Highlanders dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, but he saw his team struggling.
Paginelli said he could see his players slowing down.
"When they scored their first two goals, our defenders had dead legs," he said.
Both teams were sluggish during the first 10 minutes of the first half.
Incline's Kelli Cherry had several shots on goal, one that rolled wide and the other that was saved by North Tahoe goalkeeper Kea Jolicoeur.
Paladini said he considers Jolicoeur one of the best goalkeepers in the 3A.
"We have worked hard with her all year," he said.
The Lakers began to play more aggressively, and at the 21st minute, Jenna Burnside took a pass from Chelsea Patrick and booted the ball near the top of the net.
Less than one mine later, Patrick scored her own goal as she took a pass on the left side from Michelle Zarick.
After Patrick's goal, Zarick put more pressure in Incline's defense as she ignited North Tahoe's offense. Sage Clark had two attempts two score, but her shots were blocked each time.
With 1:23 remaining before halftime, Incline received a penalty kick, but the shot was high and over the crossbar.
Three minutes into the second half, Burnside took a shot on goal that bounced back to her. She was successful on her second attempt that gave North Tahoe a 3-0 lead.
Despite North Tahoe continually putting pressure on Incline's defense, the Highlanders regrouped and tightened their defense for the rest of the match.
North Tahoe had a chance to add to its total under two minutes when Nicole Younger had a breakaway, but she shot the ball right of the post.