Molly Otto fights for the ball for Carson on Thursday.
RENO — All season long, Carson High’s girls soccer team had found a way to finish off teams en route to an undefeated regular season.
Except for McQueen.
The Lancers were the only blemish during the regular season battling Carson to a 1-all tie. On Thursday, the Lancers knocked the Senators from the ranks of the unbeaten and ended their season with a victory in the semifinals of the 4A playoffs at North Valleys High School.
The game was scoreless through 80 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods before McQueen outscored Carson, 3-1, in the shootout.
“The girls didn’t deserve to lose,” Carson coach Greg Lehman said. “They played their hearts out. We had a lot of open-goal opportunities, and unfortunately we couldn’t find the back of the net. Ultimately you have to score to win.
“Their keeper (Isabel Warren) was a big presence in goal. We practiced penalty kicks the other day, and I felt pretty good about them going in.”
The regulation was a microcosm of Carson’s season. Carson had a 15-7 edge in shots and even got the best of the Lancers in the extra periods. McQueen seemed content to play a lot of defense and get to a shootout situation.
If that was McQueen’s strategy it was a good one.
Gabriela Cid had her PK stopped by Warren, and Mackenzie Corkill scored on CHS keeper Vanessa Camarena to make it 1-0. Warren stopped Valerie Sue Meyer, and Daisy DeLaTorre made it 2-0. Yanitzia Perez scored to make it 2-1, but Emma Cox scored to make it 3-1. Sophia Ruedy couldn’t score, and the Senators’ dream season was over despite only a loss and tie.
Carson had a 6-2 edge in shots in the first 40 minutes, but either the shots sailed high or wide, or they were unable to get off a clean shot. Cid and Lauren Hudak both misfired in the first four minutes. In the 32nd minute, Carson played a nice through ball but was unable to get off a shot. In the 34th minute, Ruedy pounded one over the crossbar.
Perez was denied three times in the first 25 minutes of the second half. Two other times Carson failed to get off a shot despite a good run. Both Mallory and Molly Otto had good looks in the second part of the game.
In the first overtime, Hudak sent a nice ball toward the goal Meyer barely missed on a header attempt.
With six minutes left, Perez had a shot blocked by McQueen’s Kendra McAninch.
The second overtime ended on a foul by McQueen. Before Carson could get a kick off, the center referee ruled time had expired.
That set the stage for a disappointing sequence of events, which left the bulk of the Carson players in tears on their sideline.
“I don’t think we were mentally prepared coming in,” Meyer said.
“I think we were too cocky. “
Meyer felt McQueen, like Reed on Tuesday, was content to stay tied and not attack during regulation.
“This was a good group of girls,” Lehman said. “I really enjoyed coaching them. I thought we outplayed them, but it’s sad that it didn’t show on the scoreboard. We had a great season.”
BOYS SOCCER
Truckee eliminates Dayton
WINNEMUCCA — The Wolverines scored five times in the first half en route to an 8-2 win over the Dust Devils in a 3A quarterfinal game Thursday.
Both of Dayton’s scores came in the second half. Jorddy Diaz scored on a 40-yard free kick early in the second half, and Victor Gomez scored the second DHS goal.
“I don’t think we played to our full potential today,” coach Luis Melgarejo said. “It could have been intimidation or being too nervous, I accept the loss, but not the high score. We have to learn from this game, keep our heads up and work harder next season. It takes time to build a successful program. I’m proud and thankful for the dedication the players showed and the hard work they put in this season.”