RENO - Fortunately for the Carson High School girls soccer team, the law of averages eventually evened out Saturday afternoon.
After missing numerous opportunities, Carson finally broke through to score on Morgan Beam's goal in the 68th minute as the Senators salvaged a 1-1 tie in their Sierra League contest against the Reno Huskies at Reno's Bud L. Beasley Athletic Complex.
The tie was a satisfactory result for the Senators (4-0-1 league) against a Reno team (2-2-1) that was coming off a 2-1 win over Douglas on Tuesday. Also, the game was switched to a practice field because the regular Foster Field facility at Reno was being used for youth football.
"We were happy to get out of here with a tie," Carson coach Randy Roser said. "We played good overall; our runs were good, our passing was good and our defense was good. It was just one of those games. We had four 1-v-1 shots in the first half and then missed a p.k. I mean, how many times do you shoot on goal and not score?"
The Senators enjoyed an 18-8 advantage on the shot chart, but only managed to score after 14 misses. There were some good opportunities, too, including a Sarah Stalling penalty kick that was stopped by Reno goalkeeper Dawn Davis in the 48th minute when the two teams were still locked in a scoreless tie.
Reno missed an opportunity of its own two minutes later when Mary Scott's short-range shot was squibbed just wide left. The Huskies got on the scoreboard in the 54th minute when freshman Raimy Novacek went up in the air and redirected a loose ball into the net. The goal was Novacek's eighth in five league games this season.
Carson nearly scored nine minutes later when Stalling lofted a shot that Davis deflected off the goal post. Then Danielle Benamati took a pass from Kasey Cano and squibbed a shot that missed just wide right.
The equalizer finally came with 12 minutes showing on the clock when Stalling crossed the ball to the far post, it took a bad hop past the keeper, giving Beam an open net to shoot into.
Reno coach Joe Mavis was satisfied with the tie on a day when the Huskies were shorthanded due to injuries.
"We're a little banged up right now, but the kids stepped up today," Reno coach Joe Mavis said. "I feel they (Carson) are the top team in the league; that should be a great match at Douglas Tuesday."
Carson and Douglas square off in a showdown between first- and second-place Sierra League teams Tuesday afternoon in Minden.
Carson goalkeeper Allie Otto had three saves, all in the second half, as Reno got off three shots in the first half and five shots in the second half.
"Sammy (Valerius) and Sarah Johnston played very well defensively," Roser said, adding that defender Kathryn Rogers saw limited action after missing a game with a minor knee injury she sustained last Saturday against South Tahoe.
CARSON JV 3, RENO 0
Kayla Sanchez scored two first-half goals to put Carson on track to its victory against Reno. Rebecca Kane scored an insurance goal in the second half, assisted by Kristin Rush. Anna McQuarie was a standout on the defensive end for the Senators, who improved their overall season record to 5-1.
Contact Dave Price at dprice@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-1220.
