Soccer: Backdraft takes second at Sagebrush Start-up

The Carson Valley Backdraft U16 girls' soccer team placed second at the Sagebrush Start-up Tournament last weekend in Reno.

The team played four matches at the windy and cold North Valleys' Sports Complex and it was undefeated with two wins and two ties.

Carson Valley earned 25 points which resulted in second place medals being awarded as there was no championship match.

The first game was against the International team from south Reno. It was a scoreless first half, but the second half began with a bang as Ashley Hill launched a corner kick shot directly in front of the net to CJ Baumgartner, who slammed it home with one touch.

The Backdraft had several more shots but failed to connect. Backdraft goalkeeper Cami Arend had a number of saves, however, with only nine minutes left in the match, the International had a breakaway and the player connected on a difficult shot from the right side of the field to the left of the net. The game ended at 1-1.

The second game was against the Sparks Titans and was very physical. The Backdraft scored first on a long ground shot by Briana Rutherdale. The Titans tied it with a nice shot from the left side of the field to the right of the net.

The Titans' aggressive play was costly as Baumgartner had a breakaway and the goalkeeper came out and leveled her. The keeper was penalized inside the penalty box and a yellow card was issued. Baumgartner took the penalty kick and banged the ball into the corner of the net to give Carson Valley a 2-1 lead.

Arend had two great saves at the end and the Backdraft hung on for the victory to earn eight points.

The third game was against Mammoth. Jessica Vega scored her first goal since illness sidelined her last year with an assist from Rutherdale.

Baumgartner scored again on a penalty kick as Mammoth had a handball in the box. Rutherdale then scored on a crossing pass from Hill for a 3-0 lead.

Mammoth scored on a direct kick from the 19 yard line with a perfect shot over the defensive wall and the keeper's outstretched hands to bring the score to 3-1.

Rutherdale later put another goal in for a 4-1 final.

The final game was against Carson City. The Backdraft controlled the match but didn't score. The wind was blowing so hard that the ball kept going out-of-bounds on the far side of the field. The defense was superb all weekend and Carson City did not score either for a 0-0 final.

The International earned a first place finish with a record of 3-0-1 and 29 points. The Backdraft had 25 points for the second place finish. The two teams will face each other again on April 8.

The Backdraft consists of 18 players ages 14-16 and is coached by former DHS and WNC star Meghan Olsen along with Michael Gibbons, Michelle Van Amburg and Liz Baumgartner.

The Backdraft players are Arend, Kyra Barth, Baumgartner, Sierra Bertolone-Smith, Jillian Brune, Melissa Chambon, Nicole Duster, Shelby Eisele, Amanda Ferraro, Natalie Freitas, Jennifer Gorton, Hill, Marissa Menicucci, Becca Neuffer, Sarah Owens, Adriana Romanowitz, Rutherdale and Vega.