DIVISION I GIRLS SOCCER: Aggies repeat as state champs

CARSON CITY — Arbor View’s players were breathless and overjoyed after claiming a second straight Division I girls soccer state championship, but junior Breanna Larkin was thinking of a bigger celebration.

Posting their second shutout of the state tournament, the Aggies beat host Carson 3-0 to repeat as Division I state champions.

“I can’t wait to go back home and walk in the school and have everyone congratulate us,” Larkin said.

Arbor View (16-1-4) overwhelmed Carson with a relentless attack and suffocating defense. Unlike Friday’s semifinal game, when Arbor View started slowly, the Aggies outshot Carson 12-3 in the first half in building a 2-0 lead.

“We came out strong, and I thought when we were scoring and really playing well is when we were attacking as a team,” Arbor View coach Jay Howard said. “When we had our weaker moments is when we just kind of let our forwards go. But when we attack as a team we’re really good.”

Arbor View’s attacks were cumulative, and the Aggies grabbed an early lead when Katelyn Laurente scored after a deflected corner kick in the 12th minute.

“Today we knew what to expect so we were fine from the start,” Howard said.

Vanessa Lourenco scored in the 35th minute, and Jessica Longhurst put the game away when she drove home a pass from Bailee Davis in the 42nd minute.

The Arbor View defense did the rest. Arbor View allowed just one goal in its final 17 matches of the season.

“It’s amazing, just watching them work, the way they pass the ball and move, and just the way they talk to each other,” Arbor View goalie Kylee Wallace said. “I don’t want to take any credit for what I’ve done this year because it’s all my defense. They’re the reason I haven’t been shot on, they’re the reason I haven’t been scored on.”

Carson managed nine shots in the second half after just three in the first half, but few were on quality scoring chances.

“They try to build it out of the back, I was impressed with that,” Howard said. “I think our pace and our pressure was a little much for them, (more) than what they were used to maybe. We’re athletic and fast and real aggressive, and I think when you’re trying to play more precision, it’s hard when you have a team on you.”

Larkin, who scored a goal in last year’s state championship game, said this year’s title was more difficult because of the expectations the first one created.

“It’s easy being the underdog like we were last year, but trying to stay and step in the big shoes of the seniors last year, and keep up and repeat it’s a lot of pressure,” Larkin said.