Carson High's boys and girls soccer teams are in the playoffs once again, and Natalie Stevens and Jason Martinez played major roles, albeit different ones, in the respective success of both squads.
Martinez was a huge offensive threat for the Senators, scoring 10 goals, and he is a possible Player of the Year candidate in the Sierra League and at worse, a first-team all-Sierra selection.
Stevens, meanwhile, gets it done on the defensive side of the field. She is the glue that holds the Senators' back line together, and it's been that way for the past three seasons.
When you think of a forward in boys' soccer, you think of a little guy with blazing speed. Martinez brings a different look to the position. He's taller and heavier than most at his spot.
"He brings a different mentality," Carson boys coach Eric Masters said. "He's not a finesse guy. He brings a physical presence to the position. He can cause a lot of problems (because of that). He's not your typical forward. He's hard-nosed and not about to be pushed around."
There are many ways to get the job done on the field, a theory Martinez subscribes to.
"It's not all about speed," Martinez said. "It's more mental and physical. I use my technique more than anything else.
"I'm playing with a lot more confidence in myself. I'm getting a chance to play a lot more this year."
Martinez was a back-up on last year's team, and was selected as one of the team captains this season, a role he takes very seriously.
"I keep in contact with everybody; keep the morale high," Martinez said. "If things aren't going well, I try to keep their spirits up."
As evidenced by their 12-1-3 record, things have gone very well for the Senators this year under the guidance of Masters. The cliques that divided the team last year don't appear to be present. The chemistry is good, and that's always a big key to the success of any team. Many of those players played on the JV program last year
"This past summer most players were already on a club team (together)," Martinez said. "We transitioned from a club team to the varsity team."
The Senators have a tough road ahead. With only one team going to Vegas for the state tournament, they will have to win three straight and win the post-season tourney.
"Tis team definitely can win three in a row," Martinez said. 'We've played the teams (in the playoffs) before, and we know what they're going to do."
Stevens, a three-year starter, is oner of the team leaders. Rarely, if ever, do you see her out of a position or failing to clear a ball with her head or feet.
"She's technically a sound player," Carson coach Randy Roser said. "She's developed over the years. She has a good work ethic. Her skills have really developed the last couple of years. She is well-trained in what's going on in front of her and what she needs to do (in certain situations)."
Stevens has turned into an extension of Roser and assistant coach Cassie Carter on the field. She is the quarterback of the defense, always talking and always directing. It's why escaping from Alcatraz might be easier than getting a goal against the Senators at times.
"I've always been a defensive player, and I love the position I play," Stevens said. "I can see the whole field. I really try and make sure I keep us together and working as a team on the field, and help get everybody where they are supposed to be."
As a senior, Stevens also is coming into her own. She admits that she listened to older players more, especially her sophomore year. She started being a little more assertive last season, and she is the leader of this squad make no mistake about it. She's as tough as they come.
And. she'd like nothing more than to help her team get through the playoffs and into the state tournament. The top three teams in the north advance against one Vegas squad. Carson is 12-0-4 and would love to remain unbeaten. A year ago, Carson went 13-0-3 in the regular season, but lost twice in the post-season and missed state.
"We have the skills and chemistry (to win it)," Stevens said. "It's hard to figure out why we've struggled lately. We need to work on passing and talking. When we don't talk (communicate) things start to get crazy."