SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - Dayton's defense did what it could, but shutting down a state champion soccer team is no easy task.
The playoff road ended in South Tahoe for the Dayton girls as they dropped their quarterfinal match 8-1 on a bitter cold Wednesday afternoon.
The Vikings kept Dayton's backfield busy, but the defensive staff fought off the two-time state champions. Dust Devils' goalkeeper Muranda Fowler fended off shot after shot on goal, but South Tahoe found the net five times in the first half.
Despite the defensive efforts, the Dust Devils entered the second half trailing 5-0.
Maribel Ledezma busted up the shutout in the final eight minutes. The speedy forward drove through the center of the Vikings' defense and slammed the ball into the net.
VOLLEYBALL
Carson eliminated
SPARKS - Spanish Springs ended Carson's season with a 25-10, 25-15 and 25-18 win in the first round of the NIAA Division I playoffs Tuesday night.
Carson finished the season 14-16 which wasn't bad considering libero Brooklyn Maw missed the bulk of the season with a shoulder injury.
"Overall I'm pleased with the season," Maw said. "Spanish Springs is a good, disciplined team. They have seven seniors who have been together for three years on varsity. The girls fought hard the entire night. They never quit."
Courtney Hack finished with five kills, 11 assists and three digs, Kenzie Price had three digs, nine assists and four kills, Savannah Smith had three kills and six digs, Danielle Good had two kills and six digs, and Juliana Anderson had four kills, 1.5 blocks and one dig.