The final playoffs spots in the Northern 3A boys soccer league will likely be decided on the final day of the regular season.
Third through eighth-place is separated by just six points and only the top five teams qualify for the Northern 3A Regional Championships next month in Fallon.
Lowry (6-5-2) is looking to end a three-year playoff drought and sits in a tie for fifth place with Truckee. Sparks (11-0-1), South Tahoe (9-4) North Tahoe (7-5-2) and North Valleys (7-5-1) stand above the Buckaroos in the standings. Elko (5-4-4) is just one point behind Lowry and owns the tiebreaker over the Buckaroos.
This past Friday afternoon (Oct. 11), Lowry hand Sparks its first blemish on the schedule, earning a 1-1 tie. The Railroaders came into the match undefeated on the year, with no ties in league play.
The Buckaroos grabbed a 1-0 lead midway through the first half on a goal by Anthony Cuveas off an assist by Daniel Fernandez. Fernandez crossed the ball across the field and Cuevas chested the ball in the net.
The Buckaroos held the advantage until late in the match when Sparks scored the equalizing goal in stoppage time in the second half.
Lowry took on North Valleys on Saturday afternoon and suffered a 5-0 loss. The Panthers led 1-0 at halftime and 2-0 with four minutes to go, before scoring three goals in the final four minutes of play.
Lowry closed out its five-match road trip on Tuesday in Fallon and recorded a 6-1 win. The Buckaroos led the Greenwave 3-1 at halftime and added three goals in the final 40 minutes of action.
Lowry plays its final home matches of the year this weekend and played Incline on Friday. Results were not available at press time. South Tahoe visits Winnemucca on Saturday for a noon start.
Lowry travels to Spring Creek on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. match with the Spartans.
