The Lowry High School girls soccer team was looking to close out its year on a high note Friday afternoon in the season finale and also senior night for four players on the squad.
The Lady Bucks played a strong first half with a number of scoring opportunities, but North Tahoe left Winnemucca with a 4-0 victory after scoring three second-half goals.
Lowry ended the season at 1-17-3 overall and 0-16-2 in the Northern 3A ‘A’ division. First-year head coach Misty Stene noted the record doesn’t reflect on the improvement by the team.
“I am thrilled with how the girls have played in the last month,” said the coach. “It didn’t show it on our record, but the girls have improved so much. To play like we did today against North Tahoe is a huge statement for the girls.”
Lowry controlled the play in much of the first half, getting three breakaway scoring chances in the first 11 minutes of play. Kelcey Cooper broke free and through the North Tahoe defense in the fifth and 10th minute, but shots were just wide of the net. In the 11th minute, Emily Backus had an excellent opening at the net, only to see the hot go wide of the goal.
North Tahoe broke the scoreless tie in the 25th minute and maintained the 1-0 advantage to halftime.
“We definitely had our chances,” Stene said. “We could have easily three or four goals in the first half. That has been our luck all year.”
North Tahoe took the lead for good in the 49th minute off as turnover near the Lowry goal and the Lakers were there for the shot into the empty net. The Lakers increased the gap to 3-0 in the 58th minute and closed out the scoring in the 80th minute to for the final outcome.
“The last half of the year is something we can use to grow for the future,” Stene said. “I am excited for next season and what we have coming up with the younger players.”
Northern 3A playoffs begin Thursday
The Northern 3A Regional Championships start Thursday at Churchill County High School in Fallon.
In the top half of the bracket, South Tahoe and Fernley play at 1 p.m. and Spring Creek and North Tahoe face each other at 11 a.m.
The winners of those two matches play at 3 p.m. on Friday.
In the bottom portion of the bracket, Truckee and Yerington play at 9 a.m. and White Pine and Incline meet at 3 p.n.
The winners play at 1 p.m. on Friday.
The championship match is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday. The two teams in the title match advance to the NIAA 3A State Championships in Reno on Nov. 15-16.
