Just in case anyone forgot since last year, the Sierra League boys' soccer division is about as competitive as it gets.
Douglas, a team that missed the playoffs last year and is currently unranked in the Sierra Nevada Sports Media Polls, upended No. 3 Galena 1-0 in Reno Saturday in the league-opener for both teams.
"We open league 1-0," Douglas coach Milko Vasquez said. "We're happy but we have to move on. It's only one game.
"It was one of the most positive and energetic games all year."
The teams were scoreless through the first 74 minutes of the game, playing what Vasquez called an intense tempo, before Edgar Arceo made a penetrating run toward the Grizzlies' goal and dropped the ball back for Luke Prinz.
Prinz scored, giving the Tigers the lead.
The story of the game, Vasquez said, was Douglas' defense, which kept the defending Northern 4A champions off the scoreboard.
"The backline, the our goalie, the midfield, they were all very good all day," Vasquez said.
Ivan Gonzalez posted the shutout, making nine saves on the day, but the defense of Troy Cohee, Brian Randall, Fernando Ramos and Tyler Bankofier were key in containing Galena.
Vasquez also noted Corbin Zumpft, Edgar Gonzalez and Rafael Alves for their play in the middle.
"They all had great quality efforts," Vasquez said. "Our reserves were the difference in the game. We had guys like Corbin Zumpft, Kegan Rahe and Audrick Anderson did an excellent job subbing in. They kept up with the tempo and kept things going when our guys needed a rest."
Douglas improved to 4-2-2 on the year and 1-0-0 in league play with the win.
The Tigers travel to Damonte Ranch Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. and host Wooster Saturday at 1 p.m.
