Fallon's Sam Burton fight off a Truckee defender during the Lady Wave's 3-0 loss in Saturday's Northern Division I-A quarterfinal match at the Edward Arciniega Complex.
The offense just could not break through.
The Fallon girls soccer team was held scoreless yet again in a 3-0 loss to Truckee in the Northern Division I-A playoffs on Friday at the Edward Arciniega Complex.
For the fourth consecutive match dating back to last year, the Lady Wave was unable to solve the Wolverines’ defensive puzzle.
The shutout loss is also Fallon’s second straight including a 5-0 defeat to Elko last year. Truckee, though, lost to South Tahoe, 3-2, in the regional title match.
The turning point on Friday, according to Fallon coach Kelly Spicer, was Truckee’s early goal in the first half.
Marcelle Reynaud cradled a pass from Lynde Tucker, turned and lofted a shot just over the outstretched arms of Fallon goalie Erin Nelson in the 14th minute.
“I think when they scored, we went down,” Spicer said. “The biggest thing is they fought all season.”
The Wolverines added their second goal 13 minutes later when Lizzie Larkins fed a pass to Annika Winans, who smashed a shot from 6-yards out for a 2-0 lead. Kaylee Neill chipped in with a goal off an assist from Emma Warren in the final two minutes of the match to seal the win.
“It definitely helps to start early with a goal,” Truckee coach Katie Jamison said. “The pace was good the first half. It was nice to see all the girls play together all game.”
Truckee’s defense, meanwhile, put a stranglehold on Fallon speedster Maddie Alegre and bottled up midfielder Monica Mills.
Fallon lost its aggressive nature as Truckee scooped up most of the loose balls and transitioned with a sharp passing game.
“I think we were pressing ourselves a little too much than we have in the past,” Spicer said. “We had our opportunities and we didn’t execute.”
State tournament set
South Tahoe will take on Faith Lutheran at noon Friday in Dayton. Truckess battles defending state champion Pahrump Valley at 4 p.m.
On the boys side, Truckee, who beat Sparks, 3-1, for the regional title, plays Sunrise Mountain at 6 p.m. Sparks tangles with SECTA at 2 p.m.