Sparks rebounded from a frustrating first day of the season with a pair of wins over 4A North teams on Saturday afternoon in the Howell Memorial Tournament at the South Valley Sports Complex.
The Railroaders (2-2, 0-0) snuck past Bishop Manogue, 1-0, then played Carson to a 1-1 draw, winning 5-4 in penalty kicks.
“I’m mostly proud of being able to take the losses yesterday, these guys obviously came back with a much better attitude today and enthusiasm,” Sparks coach Jose Espana said. “It was a good bounce back.”
After scoring twice on Friday, freshman Cesar Hernandez scored both goals on Saturday. He scored the game winner in the 22nd minute of the win over Bishop Manogue and put Sparks up 1-0 early in the victory over Carson.
“The kid (Hernandez) is a natural finisher,” Espana said. “He just makes it looks easy, if that makes sense. Not that the other team and the goal keeper aren’t good, he just has a natural finish. I’m pretty excited about him.”
The Senators drew even in the 15th minute on a penalty kick before the Railroaders went on to win in PKs.
Sparks plays the final non-league game of the season Friday night (6 p.m.) at North Valleys.
Spanish Springs wins South Tahoe Tournament
The Cougars rebounded from a 1-0 loss to Damonte Ranch on Friday with a pair of wins over Reed and host South Tahoe on Saturday to claim the preseason tourney.
Spanish Springs snuck past Reed, 2-1, then edged South Tahoe, 1-0.
Sophomore Edwin Maldonado scored all three of the Cougars’ goals.
The Cougars start 4A North play on Wednesday at Wooster.
Reed, Damonte draw
Reed and Damonte Ranch played to a scoreless draw on Saturday, concluding the tournament at South Tahoe.
The Raiders went 1-1-1 in the three games, beating South Tahoe 2-1 on Friday, and losing to Spanish Springs, 2-1, in Saturday’s first contest.
Reed starts 4A North play on Wednesday at Damonte Ranch.
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