Boys' soccer: More mohawks, another first-round upset for Douglas

The Douglas boys' soccer team might as well just patent the script to the first round of the Northern 4A Regional playoffs.

For the last two seasons, the Tigers have come in as the lower seed on the road with a roster depleted by injuries.

Each season, every Tiger player has come into the playoffs sporting a freshly-shaved mohawk and each season Douglas has taken its opponent right down to the wire.

And each season, Douglas has emerged victorious.

Saturday was no different for the Tigers, as Douglas put together a 2-1 win over High Desert League champoion McQueen in an epic battle that went tied through two overtimes and was decided by penalty kicks.

"We came out and played hard," Douglas coach Milko Vasquez said. "They stayed focused. That's what impresses me, the character they have."

Douglas won 5-4 in the shootout after battling to a 1-1 tie through 80 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute overtimes.

The game was physically brutal for the Tigers, just as it was in last year's first-round win over Galena when Douglas has six players go down with injuries.

Saturday against McQueen, Douglas cycled through three goalkeepers due to injury and saw standouts Michael Gransbery (broken toe), Eddie Vega (ankle) and Ross Gardner (broken nose) all battle through the game with injuries.

Gransbery scored his 29th goal of the season and 60th of his career in the 48th minute on an assist from Vega to give Douglas the lead.

In the last minute of regulation, Douglas was called for obstruction just outside the goal box and McQueen's Alexander Martinez scored off of an indirect kick from Devon Mix to force overtime.

Douglas goalie Joze Alcaraz was superb in net, recording 13 saves, including a diving stop on a penalty kick.

"It was awesome," Vasquez said. "He had a freakin' fabulous game."

Freshman Corbin Zumpft took over in net after Alcaraz injured his ribs in a collision during the first overtime.

Zumpft made two saves before he went down as well, injuring his hip during a collision during the second overtime.

Douglas finished with Andrew Andraski in goal.

During the shootout, Edgar Arceo and Derik Cantley converted on Douglas' first two kicks but McQueen was able to answer on each.

The Lancers' third shot sailed over the crossbar and Vega, Oscar Gonzalez and Gransbery converted on their kicks for the win.

Arceo played well in place of Gardner and Kyle Mannschreck, Cantley and Kyle Gardner all played well on defense for the Tigers.

The first round was proof that the Sierra League was indeed stronger this season as all four qualifiers from the High Desert League took first-round exits.

Carson defeated Fallon and Reno topped Galena while South Tahoe beat Reed.

Douglas takes on South Tahoe in the regional semifinals Thursday at 6 p.m. at Damonte Ranch.