Boys' soccer: Douglas clinches playoff spot

The Douglas boys' soccer team clinched a playoff spot Saturday, upsetting No. Reno 2-1 in Minden.

Douglas' defense, which has been much maligned by injuries in recent weeks, came up big for the Tigers and the offense capitalized on the opportunities they were given to power ahead for the win.

Reno jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening minute after a Tiger defender missed his mark and the Huskies converted the miscue into a goal.

That was about all Reno would get, though, as the Huskies put only three more shots on net in the game.

Eddie Vega got Douglas on the board late in the first half after the Reno keeper played the ball short. Vega collected it and punched it in to tie the game at one with his sixth goal of the year.

The Tigers went ahead in the 55th minute when Oscar Gonzalez crossed the ball into the middle. Mike Gransbery headed the ball in mid-flight, deflecting it right into Michael Barnes' possession. Barnes put the game-winner in.

Douglas coach Milko Vazquez said Jeff Hulsey did an outstanding job marking Reno's top offensive player and that seniors Derik Cantley, Kyle Mannschreck, Gransbery and Barnes all had big games in their last match on their home field.

He said Vega, Edgar Arceo and Geoff Rahe all played well defensively and Jose Alcaraz had three big saves in net.