Carson girls soccer embraces youth

Carson High girls soccer has some new faces around the program this fall, but there will be plenty of similarity to what Senator fans have seen in play style over the last few years.

First year coach Matt Rabideau has taken over for Kyle Walt. Rabideau served as an assistant under Walt the past five seasons and will lead a group that is coming off of its second playoff appearance since 2016.

Last year’s team that went 11-7-2 graduated eight players, opening the way for some new players and a bigger roles for important pieces from last season.

“We are a pretty young team so we’re just going to have to work extra hard compared to all the other teams,” said Addison Morgan. “We have a young defense and they’re doing great. We also have a lot of speed.”

Carson will also be playing in Class 4A this fall, which is now the highest classification in Northern Nevada.

Their opponent pool is familiar – Bishop Manogue, Douglas, Galena, Damonte Ranch, Hug, McQueen, Reed, Reno and Spanish Springs.

From front to back

Carson showcased its 4-3-3 formation in a 1-0 win over Reed to start the season Tuesday.

That formation will be a staple for the Senators with four defenders at the back, three midfielders and three attacking players.

Returning up front will be team captains Addy Morgan and Monsserrat Iza.

Morgan, a junior, was a first team all-region midfielder last season with seven goals and two assists while Iza, a senior, had three goals and four assists up front.

The two combined for the only score in the opener, a 10^th minute goal by Iza.

Junior Ashley Orozco got the other starting nod out front Tuesday.

Andrea Manriquez-Quintero, a senior, is the Senators’ third captain and will anchor the midfield.

She said the Senator midfield this season has to be able to pass and move to be successful.

“Movement off the ball as well,” said Manriquez-Quintero. “Once you make a pass, move to the next space for it.”

Elsewhere in the midfield will be Mikayla Hader, Jailey Tijerina, Vanessa Quezado Lara and Alondra Carillo.

Over her first two seasons, Carillo could be found anywhere from goalkeeper to forward.

After their opener against Reed, Rabideau said Carillo is savvy enough to hold down nearly any spot on the field.

“She’s definitely a utility player, but she expressed some interest (in defense),” said Rabideau. “We’re super young with our defense. For her to go back there with some knowledge and experience really helps out.”

The defense will be the youth of the team.

The entire backline will be a collection of sophomores, who will continue to learn as the season progresses.

At any given time several of five sophomores will be asked to keep the ball away from net.

Larkin Russell, Makayla Rabideau, Lily Perez Martell, Andrea Torres and Lillian Turner are all players who will see time on the back line.

In net will be Ashley Waiksnoris, who is stepping back onto a soccer field for the first time in a few years.

“We kind of talked her into coming out for goalkeeper mid-summer,” said Rabideau. “She’s really raw, but we have a goalkeeper coach so she will be able to work every practice with keeper stuff. I think she will progress really nice.”

(Carson High’s Addy Morgan breaks in on net during the Senators’ 1-0 win over Reed on Tuesday. Morgan, one of three team captains, had the assist on the goal that came in the 10^th minute. Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage)