After Hug had a game called early against Carson last week, the Douglas girls' soccer team wasn't sure what to expect from their matchup with the Hawks Thursday night.
Turned out to be the exact opposite of their expectations.
Douglas cruised to a 6-1 win, but players and coaches were left talking about what happened afterward.
"The game came and went without a hint of dirty play that (Carson coach) Randy Roser had stirred rumors about the Carson/Hug game last Saturday," Douglas coach Lorraine Fitzhugh said. "Our experience was the extreme opposite. I would not hesitate to schedule another senior night with them."
After the game, players from both squads posed for pictures together, which was one of several friendly exchanges to come out of the game.
"They made plans to meet again," Fitzhugh said. "It was such a contrast to prior reports and a privilege to see both teams bond. It was a highlight in soccer memories I will never forget."
The game served as Douglas' senior night, and all four of the Tigers' seniors, Natalie Freitas, Jessica Vega, Sierra Bertelone-Smith and Alex Laing, were honored prior to the start.
Freitas put the first goal of the game in on a crossing pass from Aspen Abbott in the seventh minute.
Vega added a pair of goals in her final game under the Minden lights for the Tigers and junior Tia Lyons added a pair of goals as well.
Shannon Prinz accounted for Douglas' remaining goal and Lexie Weaver had a pair of assists.
Laing, Cora Moody and Shannon Hubbard each contributed an assist as well.
Freshman Courtney McKimmey had three saves in the first half and Brianna Randall had two saves in the second half.
Hug's lone goal came in the first half on a ball that got past the defense and dribbled toward the net. Junior varsity call-up Ericka Arellano charged toward the net and appeared to clear the ball away before it could cross the goal line, but the play was ruled a Hug goal.
Douglas improved to 14-2-1 overall and 9-2-1 in Sierra League play.
