WINNEMUCCA - If there was ever a need for a win for the Lowry High School boys soccer team, it was this past Saturday at home against league rival Elko.
Ever since returning to the Division I-A in 2010, the Indians have had the Buckaroos' number, winning each time the schools have played. After two years of losses, Lowry finally broke through with a 3-2 win, a victory that could go a long way in determining postseason playoff positioning.
"It was a big win for us," said LHS head coach Steve Swanson. "We definitely control our own destiny from here on out to host a playoff game. We have that inside position to get that spot, which would be huge for us. Elko is the toughest team in our pod and we knew it would be a good game. We controlled much of the first half but, Elko came out strong in the second half."
Lowry struck first with a Carlos Aguilar goal in the 11th minute of play. The shot came seconds after a throw in by Chris Mendoza. Elko countered with the equalizing goal six minutes later. Lowry goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez stopped the original shot but the Indians put the rebound back into the net.
The Buckaroos (5-5-1 overall, 2-4-1 Division I-A, 2-0 Ruby Mountain) regained the advantage in the 24th minute on a goal by Giovanni Hernandez, who received a free kick after the Elko goalkeeper played the ball with his hands outside of the box. Hernandez took the shot and buried it into the top corner of the net.
"When Elko scored that first goal, the guys did not get down on themselves," Swanson said. "We continued to play hard the entire game."
Lowry took a two-goal lead seven minutes into the second half on a shot by Jesus Escobedo, with an assist by Mendoza. Elko closed the gap to a goal in the 57th minute, as the Indians caught Sanchez out of the goal and had an open net to shoot at.
Moments after the goal, players from Elko and Lowry began shoving each other but no yellow or red cards were handed out. The Buckaroos experienced a much scarier sight in the final seconds of the match. Mendoza was playing the ball along the Lowry sideline and was rode out of bounds by an Elko player. The force of the blow forced Mendoza into a medal bench where he hit his head. Mendoza sustained a cut on his head and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
"It was scary when it happened but he will be OK," Swanson said.
Lowry heads out on the road to face Spring Creek tonight at 5 p.m.
"We are riding a four-game winning streak and the biggest thing I am worried about right now is a let down," Swanson said. "We just need to keep rolling. This is a match that we should and need to win but nothing is a given. Spring Creek will know about our win over Elko and will want to put us away."
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