STATE ROUNDUP: Boulder City girls fall to Elko in overtime
There was plenty of heartbreak on the faces of Boulder City’s girls soccer players as they walked off the field Friday night.
But after watching his players exceed expectations all season long, Eagles coach Duncan Stark felt a much different emotion — pride.
Makayla Jenkins scored in the 12th minute of the first overtime to give Elko a 2-1 victory over Boulder City in a Class 3A state semifinal at Mesquite Sports Park.
“Our goal at the beginning of the year was to make state,” Stark said. “I’m very proud not only that we made state, but they actually gave (Elko) a game. I’m very proud.”
Jenkins, a sophomore midfielder who was called up from the junior varsity team before the postseason, buried the decisive shot from almost 20 yards away.
“There was an open spot in the goal,” Jenkins said. “It was amazing it happened so fast. It feels really great.”
Jenkins’ heroics sent the Indians to the state final at noon Saturday against South Tahoe, which advanced with a 3-0 win over Truckee.
Boulder City (10-6-0) took a 1-0 lead when junior midfielder Ashlyn Jorgenson scored in the eighth minute after taking advantage of a ball misplayed by Elko’s goalkeeper.
But the Indians tied the game when Jordan Kerns scored on a Katie Kump pass in the 27th minute, and neither team was able to take advantage of several opportunities in the remainder of regulation.
“If you lose, you want to lose a game like this,” Stark said. “You don’t want to get hammered by 10 goals. I’m very proud.”
Eagles goalkeeper Mikaela Stevens made 11 saves while playing through a right knee injury. The junior is one of seven Boulder City starters who will return next season.
The Eagles won their first 3A Southern League tournament title since 2005, and were gunning for their first state title in team history.
“We’ll be back,” Stark said. “We’re building a program in Boulder City.”
“We’ll be back,” Stark said. “We’re building a program in Boulder City.”
CLASS 3A BOYS
A strong defense helped Boulder City’s boys soccer team win the Class 3A Southern League tournament and advance to the state playoffs.
But it was no match for South Tahoe’s Cody Williams on Friday.
Williams scored three goals to carry the Vikings to a 5-0 romp over the Eagles (11-8-1) in a 3A state semifinal at Mesquite Sports Park.
The senior forward scored in the 24th, 37th and 60th minutes to help South Tahoe build a 3-0 lead and eventually advance to the state final, where it will play Sparks, a 1-0 overtime winner over Truckee, at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“No one wants to go out like that, but we ran into a really tough South Tahoe team that’s probably better than any 4A team we’ve played all year,” Eagles coach Ryan Teepen said. “Our goal this year was just to get this far, but it is a bittersweet feeling.”
Kyle Wallace added a goal in the 65th minute and Evan Sanchez struck in the 66th for South Tahoe, which dominated possession. Saul Sandoval, Gio Perez and Alexis Martinez had assists for the Vikings, and goalkeeper Peter Pielaet-Strayer posted a four-save shutout.
It was the final game for Boulder City midfielder Trevor Montgomery, a four-year starter who set a single-season record with 19 assists this season.
“Trevor’s been the face of Boulder City soccer since he was a freshman,” Teepen said. “You could always tell he was going to be special. Losing him will definitely hurt us. He’s been one of the things that made us go for the last four years.”
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Galena ended Pahrump Valley’s dream season, scoring on a rebound in the 14th minute of overtime Friday to post a 2-1 win over the Trojans in a Class 4A state semifinal at Damonte Ranch in Reno.
Alexa Kinsinger knocked home a rebound of Sara Lancaster’s shot to end the match. Pahrump Valley goalkeeper Madzia DeSalvo stopped Lancaster’s shot, but Kinsinger poked in the rebound.
The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes, but the Trojans stayed close and eventually tied the match on Sydney Sladek’s second-half goal.
“We weren’t intimidated at all,” Pahrump coach Greg Leseberg said. “We put them on their heels a few times. We played really well. Even when they got their goal early in the first half, we didn’t let down.”
The Trojans (14-2-1) nearly escaped the first overtime, but the Grizzlies broke through just before the end of the scheduled 15-minute period.
“We gave them a game, and I don’t think they expected it,” Leseberg said.
Galena will meet Douglas in the state championship match Saturday at noon.
