As the Lowry High School girls soccer team celebrated its four seniors in the final home game of the season, the Lady Bucks were looking to earn a win to keep their 3A regional playoff hopes alive.
Anything less than a victory would like knock Lowry out of the playoffs, but the squad stepped up and recorded a 4-2 win over rival Elko on Wednesday evening.
“That was a great win for us tonight,” said LHS coach Ed Partee. “The girls came ready to play and pressured Elko from the start. It was a good way to send out our seniors. Plus, it still gives us a chance at making the playoffs.”
Lowry grabbed the early momentum with two goals in the first 10 minutes of play. The Lady Bucks went up 1-0 in the fourth minute on an open net goal by Shelby Garrison. Prior to the goal, Garrison and the Elko goalie made contact and the junior was able to get back up off the ground for the easy goal.
Six minutes later, senior Kenadee Jeppsen gave Lowry a 2-0 advantage after putting a rebound shot back in the goal that originally came off the foot of Garrison.
The Indians used a breakdown in the Lady Buckaroo defense to get on the board in the 23rd minute off a shot by Olivia Smales. The score remained 2-1, despite a number of scoring chances by Lowry.
The Garrison and Jeppsen tandem struck in the 46th minute off a corner kick. Garrison started the play and Jeppsen was in the right spot in the box to put the shot away.
“That was a great play,” Partee. “We could not have drawn it up any better. Shelby and Kenadee played well today.”
Lowry all but put the game away five minutes later on a shot from Garrison, which was assisted by Audrey Snow.
Elko cut the deficit in half in the 67th minute off a rebound shot by Kaitlyn Walton, but the Indians could not get any closer.
Truckee, South Tahoe and Spring Creek have clinched playoff spots. North Tahoe needs one win to reach the postseason. Lowry (4-8-2 Northern 3A) and Incline (4-7-2) are tied for fifth place, but the Lady Bucks hold the tiebreaker with a win over the Highlanders. Last weekend the two schools played to a 2-2 tie.
Sparks and Elko are mathematically alive, but would need help to reach the postseason. Sparks has lost five of its last six games.
Lowry falls to North Tahoe
Last weekend, Lowry traveled to Lake Tahoe for a pair of games and lost 3-1 to North Tahoe on Friday, Oct. 14. The game time was switched at the last moment, leaving the Lady Bucks little time to get ready.
“It was a tough game,” Partee said. “The weather was horrible and we never got in a rhythm.”
Garrison had the lone goal for the Lady Bucks. Maile Markham scored twice for North Tahoe.
Lowry ties Incline
Lowry closed out the road trip in Incline on Saturday, Oct. 15. Each team scored twice in the first half and the game remained there for the final 40 minutes.
Garrison scored both goals for Lowry.
Lowry travels to league-leading Truckee on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. start and closes out the regular season on Thursday at Sparks at 4 p.m.
