Carson Fusion take second in State Cup

The Carson Fusion Under-12 Boys Capital Soccer Club continued its winning ways this season with a second place finish at the Snickers State Cup Tournament held this past weekend in Las Vegas.

The Fusion has also won two titles and has an 18-3-1 record this season.

The Fusion opened the State Cup with a 7-1 win over the Las Vegas Nemesis. John Nuthall scored four goals, Adam Updegrove had two goals and Brady Roser scored once. Blake Moreland added two assists and Al Jiminez and Eddie Vega each added an assist.

Brandon Briggs, Luis Aguilar, Jorge Guevera and goalie Chris Browne led a strong defensive effort as the Fusion built a 6-0 halftime lead. Chase Losche, Brian Jaggard, Philip Wortman and Nick Marsh led the defensive effort in the second half.

The Fusion advanced to the semifinals with a 4-1 win over the Reno Moondogs. The scored was tied 0-0 at halftime, with Derek Sanchez, Briggs and Guevera teaming with Brown to pitch the shutout.

In the second half, Moreland crossed a direct kick in front of the goal that Nuthall headed off the crossbard and Updegrove scored off the rebound with a strong shot to the back of the net. Roser then placed a beautiful cross in front of the net to an attacking Jiminez who buried the ball in the lower right hand corner.

Moreland scored on a shot from 12 yards to make it 3-0. Moreland then found a streaking Steven Fowzer with a pinpoint pass and Fowzer scored to make it 4-1.

In the semifinals, the Fusion beat Inter Las Vegas 4-1 after trailing 1-0. Nuthall scored three goals and Updegrove scored once. Moreland had two assists and Roser and Jiminez each added an assist.

Aguilar, Briggs, Sanchez and Guevara led a strong defensive effort. Brown made five acrobatic saves.

In the finals, the Fusion lost 3-1 to the Las Vegas Premiere. The Fusion had beaten the Premiere 3-2 in their own tournament in Las Vegas.

Aguilar, Vega, Briggs and Nickolai Vasquez-Stading led the defense and Nuthall scored Carson's goal.

The Fusion will next play in the prestigious San Francisco Cup over Memorial Day weekend.