Carson avenges last year's loss to Reed, beat Raiders 3-1

SPARKS - Just like the Carson High girls soccer team did on Tuesday, the boys soccer team also got revenge on the team that ended their season in the Northern 4A semifinals a year ago.

Ironically, it also came against Reed.

John Shorrock had a pair of assists while Carlos Hernandez, who was just elevated from the JV team for the game, scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal as the Senators beat the Raiders, 3-1 on Wednesday at Reed High.

"He's not going anywhere," said Carson coach Jim Nealis when asked if Hernandez was moved up only for this game. "He'll be with us for the rest of the season."

Hernandez' goal in the 58th minute allowed the Senators (3-0) to successfully get their revenge on the Raiders, who knocked Carson out of the zone playoffs with a 1-0 win last year. Reed then went on to win the Nevada 4A State Championship, becoming the first Northern Nevada team to win a big-school soccer state championship since the Senators did in 1998.

The Raiders did graduate some of their key players from last year's state title team, but are still undoubtedly one of the top teams in the Northern 4A again this year.

"I'm just happy to get a win against a quality team like Reed," Nealis said of the Raiders, who fell to 2-1 on the season. "It was game that could've gone either way, but our team showed a lot of character."

Jesus Cid scored his fourth goal of the season in the 31st minute with a well-driven shot into the upper corner, beating Raider goalie Ian Cochran. A few minutes later, Cid nearly flicked in a second goal, which would've put the Senators up 2-0, but Cochran's save denied him.

This season has unfolded quite nicely for Cid, who was a defender last season under coach Bruce Bergantz. Cid currently leads the team in scoring with 9 points (4 goals, assist), even though he normally switches back to defense in the second half.

"I feel like I can do some good things at forward but I'll play anywhere coach wants me to," said Cid, who injured his knee in the second half but should be ready for Saturday's game against Reno. "As long as I'm on the field, that's all that matters."

In the second half, Reed tied it at 1 after a Juan Barragan goal in the 45th minute. After that, the Raiders put Carson under pressure, peppering the Senator' goal with numerous shots.

"We showed a lot of heart after they scored," Nealis said. "They pounded our net and had a lot shots inside the 18 (edge of the penalty box), but goalie Sean Carter made some big saves and kept us in it."

But Hernandez' goal soon after deflated Reed's confidence with his goal from outside the penalty box. Then in the 72nd minute, Kirkwood Harris' blast off a John Shorrock throw in all but sealed the victory. It was a nice bonus for Harris, a steady defender for Carson who rarely gets an opportunity to score.

"I'm a stopper so it doesn't happen that much," Harris said. "We were pretty determined to win this game."

When Carson hosts Reno on Saturday at 1 p.m., it'll be game between two undefeated Sierra League front runners.