South Tahoe soccer boys protect Sierra League lead with win at Douglas

The Douglas High School boys soccer team faced a twofold problem in its Sierra League match at home against South Tahoe on Saturday.

First, the Tigers were without four players due to academic ineligibility and one college recruiting trip so coach Phil Sheridan brought up four freshmen from the J.V. squad to try and help fill the void.

Second, they were up against a hot South Tahoe team that has charged into the league lead and had the added incentive of revenge on its side. After all, the Vikings had won six straight since their 3-1 defeat against Douglas at the lake on Sept. 26.

Make that seven now because the Vikings got their payback as they scored four goals in the last 20 minutes of the first half and then cruised to an 8-0 victory.

South Tahoe is now 9-2 (11-2-1 overall) and in position to capture the league championship on Wednesday with a win on the road against second-place Reno.

On the other hand, Douglas stands fourth and in danger of missing the Northern 4A Regional Tournament. The Tigers are 5-5-1 and in need of a win at Carson on Wednesday to assure themselves of fourth-place in the league. North Valleys (5-6) could grab the No. 4 seed with a win at home against Wooster on Wednesday, coupled with a Douglas loss to Carson.

The top four teams in the Sierra and High Desert leagues advance to the Northern 4A Regional Tournament.

Saturday, South Tahoe's Larry Martinez broke a scoreless tie in the 20th minute and Enrique Avina followed with a goal that made it 2-0. Avina scored his second goal before halftime to give the Vikings a 4-0 lead.