With just a handful of matches left on the schedule, the Lowry High School boys soccer team now finds itself as a spoiler to the rest of the Division I-A North.
The Buckaroos hosted perennial power Sparks on Saturday afternoon and played the Railroaders to a 1-0 match in the first half. However, the Railroaders added three goals in the final 40 minutes to secure a 4-1 victory.
"It has been the same story for us," said LHS coach Steve Swanson. "We play one really good half and then we play a half where we don't play as well. You have to give credit to Sparks, they are a good team."
The Railroaders' Jesus Partida scored the only goal of the first half, in the sixth minute, to give Sparks a 1-0 lead. Frankie Macias gave the Railroaders a 2-0 advantage four minutes into the second half, when Lowry's Jordan Diaz cut the deficit in half in the 51st minute.
It did not take long for Sparks to increase the lead to 3-1, as Gennaro Vasquez scored one minute later. The Railroaders closed out the scoring in the 63rd minute on a penalty kick by Partida.
Lowry (2-9 Division I-A North, 3-12 overall) was back at home Tuesday to play South Tahoe and a tie or victory over the Vikings would complicate the playoff hopes for the Lake Tahoe school.
The game was rough throughout, with a number of fouls and yellow cards handed out. The Buckaroos played a man down for the final 28 minutes, after Jesus Escobedo received his second yellow card of the match, which turns into a red card.
South Tahoe scored in the 33rd minute on a cross in front of the net that led to a wide open shot. The Vikings went on to win 3-1.
Lowry tied the match at 1-1 in the 42nd minute, as Kevin Blanco converted a penalty kick after South Tahoe was called for a foul in the 18-yard box.
The match remained tied until the 62nd minute, when the Vikings scored off as free kick near the goal.
"My guys came out and played hard," Swanson said. "South Tahoe saw how the match was being called and changed up their style of play. They were going down easy on one side and playing rough on the other. We were in the match until they scored on that free kick. We got frustrated after that. Plus, it was tough to play a man down for almost 30 minutes. We just wore down."
South Tahoe added an insurance goal in the 76th minute to account for the final score.
Lowry travels to Fernley on Saturday for a 3 p.m. match with the Vaqueros. Lowry will be back home Tuesday to host Dayton at 4 p.m.
"We know there is no hope for the playoffs," Swanson said. "We can play a spoiler, win a couple more games. We had a chance to ruin the season for South Tahoe. We will have to see if we can mess it up for Spring Creek and Elko."[[In-content Ad]]
