No. 1 vs. No. 2.
The showdown was set on Wednesday when the Carson boys soccer team won 4-0 at North Valleys and South Tahoe won 5-2 at Douglas on Wednesday.
Carson and South Tahoe are both 4-0 in the Sierra League and will play for first when the two teams meet at South Tahoe on Saturday. In this week's Sierra Nevada Media poll (see B2), South Tahoe is ranked No. 1 and Carson is ranked No. 2 in Northern Nevada.
"The winner of this game is going to be in the driver's seat," Carson coach Jason Koop said.
Enrique Mendoza scored three goals against North Valleys as Carson dominated, outshooting the Panthers 32-3. But Carson had to settle for a 1-0 halftime lead before exploding for three goals in the first six minutes of the second half. "We came out pretty fired up in the second half," Koop said.
Sam Rojas moved up from his defensive position to score on a beautiful shot from 25 yards out in the first half. "He just ripped it into the back of the net," Koop said.
After a hands ball violation in the goal box, Mendoza scored on the penalty kick to make it 2-0. Adam Updegrove then assisted on Mendoza's next goal when he scored from 18 yards out. Brandon Briggs drew a foul in the goal box and Mendoza scored on the penalty kick to finish the scoring.
Kevin Brush and John Nuthall played well defensively and goalie Bud Kop posted the shutout.
Koop said his team will obviously have to do a better job of finishing against South Tahoe.
"I'm sure it's going to be fewer opportunities on Saturday, but what few opportunities we get, we're going to have to stick them in the back of the net," Koop said.
CARSON JVS 8, NORTH VALLEYS 0
Martin Azzam scored four goals and Aaron Buonacorsi and Matt Tillett each scored twice in the win for the Carson junior varsity boys soccer team. Buonacorsi also had two assists and Christian Limon, Blake Moreland and J.P. McFarren all added an assist.
