The Carson Valley U13 Net Rippers returned to Carson City for their fourth appearance at the Comstock Shootout last weekend and produced one of their most impressive tournament victories so far.
Despite playing in the U14 division and having to face two teams that have defeated the Net Rippers a combined four times in the past few years, Carson Valley still managed to find a way to prevail.
Carson Valley opened the tournament with a 0-0 tie against Elko Indar, but came back to defeat the Carson Madness 4-0 and the Mammoth Storm 5-0.
The Mammoth game was highlighted by back-to-back headed goals from Kaitlyn Varble and Shannon Prinz.
The Net Rippers took on the Truckee TNT Fury in the championship game. Varble punched in a penalty kick for the 1-0 lead 10 minutes in, and 10 minutes later Katie Dry crossed a ball from deep in the right corner that Kaelin Mejia was able to strike out of the air and drive into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead.
The TNT Fury was able to get on the board with 15 minutes left, but Carson Valley clamped down on defense and preserved the 2-1 win.
The Net Rippers defense of Cora Moody, Alison Chambon, Shannon Hubbard, Rochelle Seymour and keepers Brianna Randall and Jenna Geyer have allowed just one goal in their last five games.
Carson Valley's midfielders and forwards were able to produce 11 goals in the tournament. TIa Lyons, Alex Laing, Katie Dry, Jillian Olivera, Shannon Prinz, April Sorenson, Kelsey Walsh, Holly Downer, Mejia, Dry, Prinz and Varble contributed to the offensive effort.
Downer was selected as the team's tournament MVP. Carson Valley is now preparing for the Nevada State Cup on May 19 and 20 in Carson City. The Net Rippers are the No. 1 seed from Northern Nevada and will face the top teams from Las Vegas to determine the state champion.
CV BACKDRAFT
The Carson Valley Backdraft U16 girls' team finished second in the Cascade Division of the Comstock Shootout in Carson City last weekend.
The Backdraft demolished its opponents on Saturday, earning the team 19 out of a possible 20 points beating the Reno FT Yield 6-0 and the Martinez Heritage Vendetta 4-1.
Cami Arend scored five goals on Saturday and Briana Rutherdal had four goals.
Ashley Hill scored a goal and had three assists.
Five other players had assists.
Carson Valley defeated the Concord Flash 1-0 in the semifinals as Kaylee Bell scored the winning goal in the second half on a corner kick play.
The Backdraft then played a rematch with the Vendetta in the championship game, but was defeated 1-0.
It was a close back-and-forth game the entire way, but in the second half, the Vendetta punched in a low shot to the corner on a breakaway.
Carson Valley keeper Aleassa Anzelone had 15 saves over the course of four games, often receiving loud applause from the spectators at the tournament.
Carson Valley's roster included Anzelone, Arend, Bell, Hill, Rutherdale, CJ Baumgartner, Allie Bowen, Jillian Brune, Melissa Chambon, Kelsey Conklin, Nicole Duster, Shelby Eisele, Amanda Ferraro, Michell Gibbons, Becca Neuffer and Sarah Owens.
The team is coached by Amanda Mikulich, Michael Gibbons and Liz Baumgartner.
