Carson’s Sammy Guerra Placencia dribbles away from pressure from Hug’s Julio Solorio during Wednesday's game between the Hug Hawks and the Carson High Senators.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
Carson High boys’ soccer opened their home slate of league play with arguably the toughest opponent in Northern Nevada.
Hug High School, which downed the Senators 4-1 Wednesday night, is coming off a Class 5A North regional title last season and a trip to the state finals.
A young Senator team had an opportunity to cash in early – thanks to a Hawk red card in the fourth minute – but Hug (3-1 overall) showcased its speed, taking a 2-0 lead into the half.
With two quick goals to start the second half, Hug built a 4-0 cushion before Carson was able to get on the board.
“The last 20 minutes the boys showed what we have and what we can work on,” said Carson High head coach Pedro Chavez. “Definitely an eye-opener and a humbling experience for our players and for us as well.”
In the 62nd minute, sophomore Trigo Burciaga was able to score the lone goal for the Senators getting to a wayward ball bouncing through the box.
Expectations and formational adjustments
Carson has turned to a 4-5-1 formation due to some early season injures and other players who will miss time.
“We have to adapt with what we have for now,” said Chavez. “We didn’t show it today against Hug, but the Incline game we showed a different side of the team.”
The Senators’ put together a 3-2 win over Incline in the season opener thanks to goals from sophomore Jaden Gomez, freshman Nathan Alegria Gutierrez and senior JJ Rivas.
Turning around with a league assignment against the Hawks was certainly an early season test for the Senators.
However, the final 20-plus minutes of the contest saw the Senators dictate the pace.
Carson is a young squad this season with just two seniors on the roster to start the season.
“(Against Incline) We moved the ball with our rhythm and our tempo. Today, we didn’t show that from the beginning,” said Chavez. “The last 20 minutes everybody got a glimpse of what we were able to do, but for sure we can do more than those 20 minutes.”
Josh Lopez got the start in net for the Senators Wednesday night while the back line in front of him featured Alejandro Lara-Garcia, Josue Gomez, Kael Walt and Angel Vega Alvarez from left to right.
Taking over better control of the midfield will be a learning point from the home opener as the Senators weren’t able to capitalize on Hug playing a man down for nearly the entire game.
UP NEXT: Carson (1-1, 0-1 in league play) will get a week off before its next contest, which comes against North Valleys (1-0) Aug. 31 in Reno.For more on the new Carson High coaching regime, check out episode 38 of the Behind the Bench podcast, featuring head coach Pedro Chavez and JV coach Ian Gunn – Behind the Bench, Episode 38
(Carson’s Kael Walt dribbles against Hug’s Brandon Escobedo during Wednesday's game between the Hug Hawks and the Carson High Senators / Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)
ScorersHug (4) – Brandon Escobedo (26'), No. 34 (34'), David Guzman (45'), Jaime Montero (46').Carson (1) – Trigo Burciaga (62').
Wednesday’s varsity roster
Josh Lopez, So.; Kael Walt, So.; Angel Vega Alvarez, So.; Josue Gomez, Jr.; Alejandro Lara-Garcia, Sr.; Nathan Alegria Gutierrez, Fr.; Jaden Gomez, So.; Sammy Guerra Plascencia, Jr.; Carlos Orozco, So.; JJ Rivas, Sr.; Trigo Burciaga, So.; Aby Zambrano, Jr.; Borrego Lepe, So.; Ricky Abundis, Jr.
