The Lowry High School boys soccer team continues to make strides toward the top of the Northern 3A standings.
The Buckaroos looked to take the next step in that process, when they took on South Tahoe on Saturday afternoon in Winnemucca. The match was tied 1-1 in the first half, when the Vikings pulled away for a 4-3 victory.
“I thought we played a good match,” said LHS coach Steve Swanson. “We outplayed them in the first half. South Tahoe had a couple lucky goals, where you shake your head and give them credit.”
Lowry dropped to 2-2 in the Northern 2A and 7-2 overall.
South Tahoe quickly jumped on the board in the second minute, scoring off a rebound shot. Lowry knotted the game at 1-1 in the 16th minute, when Adrian Mendoza netted the tying score off an assist by Nathan Kepler.
The Vikings extended the advantage two minutes later on a free kick and made the score 3-1, when a player turned and kicked the ball into the corner of the net from about 25 yards out.
“You have to give the kid credit there,” Swanson said. “It was a fantastic goal. I don’t think he could ever do it again.”
South Tahoe had an opportunity to increase the lead on a penalty kick, but the shot was called off when the South Tahoe player started, stopped and started his kick motion.
Lowry took advantage and closed the gap in the in the 67th minute on a long shot by Mendoza, which was assisted by Oscar Juanes. The momentum was short-lived, as the Vikings countered a minute later for their final goal.
Lowry made one final push in the 77th minute when Oscar Galarza scored on a penalty kick. The Buckaroos could get no closer.
“South Tahoe is a good team that tied with Sparks,” Swanson said. “We played right with them. We had our chances and was just unlucky. I am ready to play them again.”
Lowry knocks off Churchill County
Lowry made the trip to Fallon on Wednesday, Sept. 13, and notched an 8-0 victory. The Buckaroos scored twice in the first half and pulled away in the second half with six goals. The match ended 10 minutes early due to the new NIAA mercy rule.
Lowry is back home today (Wednesday to host Spring Creek at 5 p.m.
