Lowry’s Izayus Barajas makes a save on a Churchill County shot.
Even though the first half of the Northern 3A East came to end this past Friday, it was fair to say that it was a must-win situation for the Lowry High School boys soccer team against Churchill County.
The Buckaroos entered the day fifth in league play at 4-2 and a loss would not help their cause.
It was also the final home game and senior day for Lowry, as they will play the remainder of the matches on the road in a rare scheduling quirk.
It didn’t start well for Lowry, as Churchill County scored five minutes into the match.
The Greenwave led 2-1 late in the second half, when the Buckaroos scored the final two goals to escape with a 3-2 victory.
Lowry’s Jonathan Prado dribbles the ball up the field in the Buckaroos’ 3-2 win over Churchill County on Friday in Winnemucca.
The win moved Lowry to third in the Northern 3A East at 5-2, ahead of Churchill County (5-3).
Elko (5-0) and Spring Creek (7-1) are first and second, respectively. The top four teams advance to the postseason.
After a number of missed opportunities in the first 40 minutes of play, Lowry tied the match at 1-1 late in the first half on a free kick from just outside the box by Juan Alvarez.
That would be the first of three goals for the senior in his final match at home.
Churchill County regained the advantage in the 55th minute, when Lowry used a little bit of luck about 10 minutes later, as a shot by Alvarez took a bad bounce off the turf and past the Churchill County goalie.
The Buckaroos took the lead for good in the 74th minute off a penalty kick by Alvarez after a Greenwave foul in the box.
Lowry plays its final 10 matches of the season on the road starting this weekend at Truckee and South Tahoe in non-league play.