ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. and#8212; It was a game of opportunities as the Whittell boys took on North Tahoe on Tuesday night, and the Lakers got the best of them by a 2-0 score.

and#8220;I thought we played well enough to win the game, but we made a few mistakes and they capitalized on it,and#8221; said Whittell coach Steve Maltase.

North Tahoe coach Beto Alcaraz was pleased to see his young Lakers squad capitalize on its scoring chances.

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and#8220;The difference is we put in a couple of opportunities we had,and#8221; he said. and#8220;They (North Tahoe players) rose to the occasion, and#8216;cause coming in we needed a win.and#8221;

The Warriors played in the Del Campo Tournament this past weekend and against Quincy the previous night. They came into Tuesday’s league match scoreless in their last five games, and the streak would continue.

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and#8220;We’ve had six games in four days, and that’s caught up to us,and#8221; Maltase said. and#8220;I think we’re a little worn out.and#8221;

Neither team really shined in the match.

During the first half the ball mainly hung around the middle of the field, except on a goal by North Tahoe sophomore Eduardo Martinez in the 29th minute. Martinez had gotten a step on a Whittell defender, forcing a close one-on-one with goalie Austin Neil, who was able to get a hand on the ball before it bounced in.

In the second half, both teams would find shots on goal, but North Tahoe was able to slip another one by in the 78th minute to put the nail in the coffin. South Tahoe looked to tie the game with a goal just prior to North Tahoe’s in the 73rd minute, but the shot by Derek Heldt-Werle was called offside.

and#8220;They got to be more hungry and more aggressive,and#8221; said Maltase. and#8220;I think they’re worried about making the perfect pass or perfect shot.and#8221;

North Tahoe improved to 1-1 in Sierra League play and 2-4-2 overall, while Whittell fell to 0-3 in league.

The North Tahoe girls played Whittell to a 1-1 tie on Tuesday.

North Tahoe head coach Jon Rockwood said that while his team controlled the pace of the game, Whittell played more physically, which affected the Lakers mentally and caused their composure to break down.

and#8220;Whittell always plays us tough,and#8221; said Rockwood, whose Lakers are now 1-0-1 in Sierra League play and 3-1-2 overall. and#8220;Each year, I feel like we are mentally and physically prepared to play Whittell, and they always put up a much tougher fight than expected.and#8221;

The Warriors got on the scoreboard first early in the second half off of a direct kick just outside of the 18 and#8212; a perfect shot chipped near post and out of the reach of goalie Angela Wood.

In the 65th minute, Emily Pieper turned with the ball and, unassisted, ripped a 30-yard shot to tie the score.

and#8220;It was one of her best goals of the season,and#8221; Rockwood said.

North Tahoe had 14 shots during the game, six of which were on goal.

and#8220;In order to compete with stronger teams, we must convert on our chances. I was not happy with our finishing,and#8221; Rockwood said. and#8220;I look to work on our first touch and combination play to prepare for our game against Truckee on Friday.and#8221;

Rockwood said Alicia Pieper had another great game at sweeper while Shelby Foster played a strong stopper.

and#8220;There were certainly positives during the game, but we have a lot to work on, which is fun,and#8221; the coach said.

— Sierra Sun Sports Editor Sylas Wright contributed to this story.