Even with a different coach, the results remain the same for the Douglas High School boys' soccer team, which recorded its eighth win of the season at home on Wednesday with a 3-2 win over Galena.
The game was the second for the Tigers with new coach Philip Sheridan, who replaced Mike Robinson mid-season. Sheridan is now 2-0 as the Tiger coach.
The win solidified Douglas' playoff chances as the Tigers (8-3-1) are comfortably in second place in Division II. The loss was bitter for the Grizzlies, however, who saw their playoff hopes dim with a loss that left them with a 2-6-3 record and in fifth place in Division I.
"I wasn't pleased with the result of the game, but I was pleased with the way Galena played today," said Grizzly coach Frank Rosa. "We can still qualify for zone, but out of our final three games, we need at least two wins and a tie."
Galena's final three opponents of the regular season include a road game at Elko as well as Sparks and McQueen.
Douglas had the lead for nearly all of the game, but could never quite put Galena out of contention.
"Galena was a tough team; it was a well-played game by both sides," said Sheridan, who also coached the junior varsity to a 4-1 win over the Grizzlies. "The races are so close in the divisions, the level of play is really comparable."
The only goal of the first half came in the 10th minute when Rex Belshaw converted a penalty kick for a 1-0 Tiger lead. Dylan Sheridan had earned the penalty when he was hauled down inside the box.
Douglas increased its lead to 2-0 early in the second on a score by T.J. Plummer from an assist by Rob Honer.
Galena cut the lead to 2-1 a few minutes later on a score by Kevin Hill following a pass by Nate Howell.
The Tigers gained some breathing room when Dylan Sheridan scored unassisted in the 67th minute to make it 3-1, but the Grizzlies quickly cut back into the Douglas lead on a goal by Mike Weiland.
Galena couldn't equalize before the final whistle, though, leaving Douglas just three points behind first-place South Tahoe in the Division II standings.
Douglas plays at Reed on Saturday before meeting the first-place Vikings next Wednesday at home. Galena makes the trip east to Elko on Saturday for its crucial game with the second-place Indians.
