The race for the Sierra League title in boys soccer has now become the survival of the fittest.
Carson survived a wild game with Hug at home on Wednesday, winning 3-0 to stay in a first place tie with Douglas High. The Senators improved to 8-1-3 while Douglas is 9-3 after a 5-0 win over Damonte Ranch.
The Senators figure to have the advantage in the schedule down the stretch as Carson closes at Damonte on Saturday and at home against North Valleys on Monday. Douglas plays North Valleys on Saturday and hosts South Tahoe on Monday.
But that this point, Carson coach Jason Koop isn't taking anything for granted. "At this point I'm not looking past anybody," Koop said.
Especially since Carson will be without two of its top players, Blake Moreland and John Nuthall on Saturday. Both players received red cards on Wednesday and will have to sit out Saturday's game.
Carson and Douglas also got a little breathing room from South Tahoe, which played to a 0-0 tie against Reno High. The Vikings are now 7-2-3.
It figured that Wooster had the advantage over Reno in the battle for the Sierra League's fourth and final spot into the Northern 4A playoffs since the Colts were playing North Valleys. But Wooster and North Valleys tied 1-1, leaving the Colts and Reno tied at 5-4-3.
Moreland scored with two minutes left in the first half against Hug on an assist from Adam Updegrove, who beat two defenders to set up Moreland.
"It was actually very nice for Adam as far as being able to generate something there and a good finish on Blake's part," Koop said.
But Moreland received a red card at the end of the half, forcing Carson to play a man down for much of the second half.
Chris Brown scored on a free kick from about 40 yards to give Carson a 2-0 lead. Carlos Contreras then beat a defender to set up Nik Marsh, who was fouled in the goal box.
"They just wiped him out," Koop said. Marsh converted the penalty kick to finish the scoring.
"Then all hell broke loose," Koop said. Nuthall received his red card, forcing Carson play temporarily two men down.
The Senators were one man down again when a Hug player received a red card after running into Carson goalie Ryan Lee, who came in to play the last 15 minutes for starting goalie Brandon Briggs.
"It was a pretty physical match," Koop said. "It's just a little frustrating not keeping our heads. We played solidly even a couple of men down."
CHS JVS 12, HUG 0
Luis Gonzalez scored on an assist from Gustavo Gonzalez, Guillermo Alanzo scored on an assist from Ian Gunn, Javier Barrios scored on an assist from Matt Nuthall, Miguel Camacho scored on an assist from Nuthall, Skylar Greenman scored on an assist from Carlos Galvan, Ivan Reyes scored three straight goals on assists from Galvan, Greenman and Nuthall, Greenman scored on an assist from Galvan, Pedro Chavez scored on an assist from Nate Eng, Gustavo Gonzalez scored on an assist from Reyes and Chavez scored on an assist from Gustavo Gonzalez.