By Ty Pimienta, reporting intern Sparks junior Jesus Partida was arguably the best DI-A North player last year, as a sophomore. As a junior this fall, his role was drastically different. Last July, the leading scorer tore his ACL, ending his junior season before it started. “At a Sunday league game, I was running and I planted wrong, and I just fell right away," … [Read more...]
Girls soccer all-league teams released
It was a strong year for the local girls soccer teams and that was demonstrated by the number of Cougars, Raiders and Railroaders (25) who received all-league accolades. Spanish Springs (15-4-2) won the High Desert League and was a loss in penalty kicks away from advancing to the DI North title game and a state tournament berth. Reed (11-7-0) took the HDL No. 2 seed to the … [Read more...]
Boys soccer all-league teams released
Twenty-two Rail City boys soccer players were recognized when the DI and DI-A North all-league teams were released last weekend. Sparks led the way with 10 selections after winning the DI-A North regular and postseason title. The Railroaders finished the season 18-2-4, one win shy of a berth in the state title game. “Obviously, it was all a team effort,” Sparks coach … [Read more...]
Sparks falls short in state semifinals
For the third time in four years, Sparks’ season ended at the hands of SECTA. The Las Vegas squad eliminated the Railroaders 1-0 Friday night in the state semifinals played at South Tahoe High School after bouncing them in the 2013 state semifinals and 2012 state title game. “Well, it was not meant to be,” Sparks coach Frank Avilla said. “(The) boys played well (it) just … [Read more...]
Railroaders repeat as DI-A North champs
Once again, Sparks is the class of the DI-A North. The Railroaders defended their regional title on Saturday in dramatic fashion against Elko, in Elko, winning in penalty kicks. After neither team found the net in regulation, or in either of the two 15-minute overtime periods, Sparks claimed the DI-A North’s No. 1 state seed with a 5-4 win in penalty kicks. Elko’s … [Read more...]
Freshman sends Sparks boys to DI-A North title game
Sparks will get the chance to defend its DI-A North boys soccer regional title—because of a freshman. The Railroaders were locked in a scoreless draw with South Tahoe in Friday’s regional semifinal at Elko after one overtime period before coach Frank Avilla called freshman Bryan Espin’s name. Espin, who was a JV call-up, is one of the faster players on the Railroaders’ … [Read more...]
Girls Soccer: Sparks upset in regional quarterfinals
Sparks’ return to the postseason was a brief one. The Railroaders were bounced 3-0 by Spring Creek in Thursday’s DI-A North regional tournament opener after missing the playoffs a season ago. The Railroaders were the No. 3 seed in the tourney and finished the season 10-9-2. Spring Creek, the No. 6 seed, advanced to the semifinals. “I am proud of how the girls played … [Read more...]
Sparks boys win league title
The Railroaders clinched the DI-A North regular season title on Friday night with a 2-0 win at Lowry. The league title snapped a streak of four-straight runner-up finishes since winning the regular season title in 2011. Sparks (16-1-4, 12-0-4) will take the No. 1 seed into next week’s regional tournament at Elko. The Railroaders earned a first-round bye and will play the … [Read more...]