RENO — Carson High got off to a quick start Tuesday, literally and figuratively.
Isabella Wakeling scored 22 seconds after the opening whistle and Mallory Otto added a goal in the 26th minute to lead the Senators to a 2-1 season-opening victory over Reno in a 4A crossover match.
Reno kicked off, Carson intercepted a pass, and the Senators were off to the races.
“I got behind the defense, and Mallory got me the ball,” Wakeling said. “I just touched it and it went in perfectly.”
It was such a quick goal coach Greg Lehman didn’t even see it.
“I was just sitting down, and I looked up and we had scored,” Lehman said. “We definitely have speed. We can create opportunities. We’ve been training like that.”
Reno knotted the game at 1 seven minutes later when Shelby Clayton beat Carson’s Vanessa Camarena.
Wakeling had a good look at the 11-minute mark, but the shot was deflected over the crossbar.
Nine minutes later, Molly Otto had her shot blocked at the 18-yard mark. Carson was getting good looks and dominating the match. It was only going to be a matter of time.
Mallory Otto snapped the tie and delivered the game-winning goal in the 26th minute when she converted a through ball by midfielder Sophia Ruedy.
“We had more opportunities in the first half,” Mallory Otto said. “I think we did pretty well in the first half.”
The second half was played at a much slower pace, and neither team did much offensively. Carson had five shots and Reno two. The defense, led by Valerie Sue Meyer, was solid.
Lehman felt fatigue was an issue in the final 40 minutes.
“We had a little issue with fitness,” Lehman said. “This group came in behind than any recent group I’ve had based on times coming in and our training run. It’s something we need to work on. When you get tired, you mentally check out I think.
“I saw a lot of things I liked, and for the first game I thought we did pretty good.”
Carson returns to action next Tuesday at home against Spanish Springs at 6:45 p.m.
JV GIRLS WIN: Carson scored twice in the first 20 minutes to edge Reno, 2-1.
Karina Novoa and Daniela Mata scored for CHS. The Senators got great defense from Annika Wick, Emily Doddridge and Valeria Torres.
