Carson High's Michael Samii said the Carson Senators spent a lot of time thinking and talking about the first game against Bishop Manogue during practice.
In the first game, the Senators let a two-goal lead slip away and had to settle for a 2-2 tie when the Miners scored the controversial game-tying goal in extra time.
Carson left no doubt this time around, scoring three first-half goals en route to a 5-0 win in a Sierra League match Wednesday night.
Carson improved to 4-3-4 heading into Saturday's match at home against High Desert leader Spanish Springs.
"It was in our minds a lot," Samii said. "We talked about it."
"The team deserved a lot better the last time," coach Mehdi Samii said.
This one wasn't as close as the score indicated. Carson made one major lineup change, moving Michael Samii from midfield to fullback, joining him with Zach Smith, Cruz Kerver and Carlos Alvarado. The foursome was key in holding Manogue to just two second-half shots. On the other end, Carson poured 16 shots on goal, scoring five times and hitting the crossbar or post two other times.
"I decided that we needed to put our four best defenders back there," the elder Samii said. "With those four guys back there, I don't need the wings to always drop back to help out, those four guys don't need much support back there."
The younger Samii, who was an all-league defender last year, played his second game at fullback. He appeared OK with the move.
"I like it (fullback)," Michael Samii said. "I like playing midfield, too. If it's going to benefit the team ..."
Carson dominated from the outset. In the 7th minute, Cristian Hernandez was pulled down by a Manogue defender in the box, and Carson was awarded a penalty kick.
Francisco Barrios, who had lobbied coach Samii earlier in the year for an opportunity to attempt a penalty kick, easily put it past Zach Kohls.
"I kicked one against Douglas," Barrios said. "I already know what I'm doing. I'm not going to change where I want to kick the ball."
Thirteen minutes later, Carson went up 2-0 when Jon Guevara buried a shot from about 25 yards out. Four minutes later, Guevara took a pass from Hernandez and beat Kohls again for a 3-0 lead.
Carson started the second half without a lot of fire offensively which concerned coach Samii. He kept cajoling his team from the sidelines.
In the 56th minute, Hernandez ripped one past Kohls, and then in the 60th minute Barrios chested in a cross from Milton Rodriguez.
"It (the ball) hit my chest and I gave it a little turn," Barrios said.
The first Manogue shot came in the 62nd minute, and the Miners actually came close to scoring in the 75th minute when Jose Gonzalez deflected a shot by Manogue's Logan Williams.
