Carson boys, girls soccer make finals

The Carson High boys and girls soccer teams earned their spots today in the championship game of a tournament in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Both the Carson boys and girls team won two games on Wednesday to improve to 3-0 in the tournament. The CHS girls will play CBTIS, Mexico, at 6 a.m. today in the finals while the Senator boys will play Cecytec, Mexico, at 7:30 a.m. today in the finals.

On Wednesday, Carson's girls beat Cecytec, Mexico 4-0 and the host school Colegio Americano 7-0. For Carson's boys on Wednesday, after playing Cecytec to a scoreless tie in regulaton, the Senators beat Cecytec on penalty kicks 3-1. Carson then beat Colegio Americano 2-0.

The conditions continued to be difficult as another rainstorm drenched the field in which the teams played on. Games were also played in 90 degree heat with 90 percent humidity.

For Carson's girls, Megan Jackson opened the scoring against Cecytec, stealing the ball and scoring in the first five minutes. Defender Brandy Cantley followed by scoring after making a steal. She was fouled in the goal box and scored on the penalty kick.

Helaine Berris scored two goals, both on assists from Brandi Vega, with the second goal coming on a Berris header to give Carson a 4-0 halftime lead. Carson coach Randy Roser said Cecytec was content to stay back on defense in the second half, which made for an uneventful half.

Against Colegio Americano, the two teams played on even terms, Roser said, with Carson leading 1-0 at halftime. Emily Field laid off a ball deep in the goal box to Kayla Sanchez to give Carson a 1-0 lead.

But Carson broke the game open in the second half with Miriah Tompkins scoring in the first minute off on an assist from Helaine Berris. Vega then scored a goal that Roser described as "typical Vega" as Vega dribbled the ball through the defense for the score.

Berris followed with a shot off the crossbar and followed her own miss by scoring on the rebound. Defender Samantha Fisburn scored and Vega scored on an assist from Berris that Roser described as "just a textbook type of attack." Lauren Schulz finished the score as she scored as time ran out.

Carson had to play much of the day without goalie Jen Johnson, who received a red card against Cecytec. Johnson and an opponent collided when they went for the ball just outside the goal box and as the last defender, Johnson received an automatic red card.

Amanda Osborne finished in goal against Cecytec and Kristina Kane and Vega combined to play in goal against Colegio Americano. Johnson will be able to play today.

Carson opened with a 5-2 win against CBTIS, but the game was tied 2-2 at halftime and Roser said the two teams are evenly matched.

CHS BOYS

Carson coach Jason Koop said the conditions against Cecytec. "It resembled more water polo than anything else," Koop said. "It made it difficult for both teams to move the ball."

Izzy Lopez had two excellent chances to score on one-on-one opportunities in the second half for Carson, but was denied by the goalie. On the second chance, Lopez brought the goalie out, but missed on his shot just wide right. Cecytec also had an excellent chance to score, but Drew Heller was able to clear the ball.

In the penalty kicks, the tiebreaker went up to three kicks. On Tuesday, Carson needed five kicks to beat CBTIS 5-4.

On Wednesday, Blake Moreland converted the first kick. After Cecytec tied the score 1-1, Brady Roser converted the second kick. After goalie Brandon Briggs, who posted the shutout, was able to make the second on Cecytec's second kick, John Nuthall converted his kick to clinch the win.

Koop praised the play of defenders Heller, Brian Duran, Jorge Guevara, Derek Sanchez and Matt Tillit and midfielders Roser and John Nuthall.

Against Colegio Americano, the game was moved to a much drier field, but the conditions in the goal box were still sloppy. Koop said goalie Ryan Lee was able to make two outstanding saves in the conditions. "The field was much drier, so we could actually make a pass," Koop said.

Moses Fernandez scored to give Carson a 1-0 halftime lead and John Nuthall scored with 30 seconds left for the final margin.

"They're a very good team," said Koop about Cecytec. "It will be a good match for us."