Carson defense holds off pesky Colts

For some reason, Carson High's soccer team has problems against Wooster, and Wednesday night was no exception.

The visiting Colts used solid midfield play and their quickness to hold their own much of the game in a 3-0 loss to the Senators in a Sierra League battle.

The win upped Carson's record to 3-1-1 in 4A play heading into Saturday afternoon's showdown at Bishop Manogue.

"They are just a hard-working group," Carson coach Eric Masters said. "They don't stop competing.

"That's the best game we've played al season. I don't think we made one mistake. It was definitely 80 minutes of good soccer."

Masters was continually subbing players in and out in the second half. Fatigue he said was a factor. Wooster actually outshot Carson in the second half 6-5, but Carson had an overall 11-7 edge.

"I think we just got tired," Masters said. "They started pushing numbers up."

It was another solid effort by the Carson defense led by Michael Samii, Zach Bruce, Zach Smith and Christian Navarro until he suffered an eye injury and left the game.

"It wasn't one of the hardest (games) we've had," Bruce said. "We just had to make sure we kept our shape. Their offense isn't that aggressive (up top). Most of their offense comes out of their counter attack. They tried to play the ball behind us before we could get our shape."

Wooster's ability to get back on defense gave Çarson problems throughout the match.

Carson broke the scoreless deadlock in the 14th minute when South Tahoe transfer Evan Sanchez, who has missed most of the season with an injury, scored the game's first goal.

"It was a nice switch from Jason (Martinez)," said Sanchez. "He got it to my right foot and I hit it in the upper right-hand corner."

A little over five minutes later, Carson got on board again. Bruce drilled a corner kick into the middle of the penalty box area. The Wooster goalie was unable to hold onto the ball, and Chris Espinoza followed it in to make it 2-0.

"I just tried to play it in the middle (of everybody)," Bruce said. "I think the goalie was trying to punch the ball out. It didn't look like he was trying to catch it at all."

Carson didn't have a good look the rest of the half, and the Colts ended up with just one shot on goal.

The Senators had two good looks in the first five minutes of the second half, including one by Martinez.

In the 75th minute, Wooster attempted a direct kick that went over the crossbar, and in extra time Carson goalie Marco Magallon deflected a shot by Jessie Garcia over the crossbar to preserve the shutout.

Moments later, Martinez scored the game's final goal and his second point of the contest.