FERNLEY, Nev. and#8212; For the second straight year, the Elko girlsand#8217; soccer team will play in the 3A state championship game.

The Lady Indians scored midway through the second half, and their defense clamped down to hold on for a 1-0 victory against Truckee in the state semifinals Friday in Fernley.

The win, however, was not easy nor a given.

---

---

and#8220;I think we came in a little too cocky with too much confidence after the South Tahoe win,and#8221; Elko coach Michelle Nicholls said. and#8220;At halftime, I told them we needed to settle down and start passing the ball.and#8221;

After a first half where the ball spent most of the game between the 20-yard lines, both teams challenged the goalies more often.

---

---

and#8220;It was two evenly matched teams,and#8221; Truckee coach Katie Jamison said. and#8220;Elkoand#8217;s a more physical team and that helped them in the second half.and#8221;

Less than 2 minutes into the second half, Adriana Shurtz scored to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead, but the goal was waived off because the official ruled the Truckee keeper had possession of the ball.

Shurtz got a second chance and made sure the officials could not waive off the score. In the 53rd minute, she chased down a pass from Katie Kump and pushed the ball into the right post.

and#8220;Shurtz has been hustling so much, and she wanted it more,and#8221; Nicholls said. and#8220;Sheand#8217;s worked all year, and when we pulled Morgan (Canepa) back on defense, she wanted to prove she deserved more playing time.and#8221;

It was Shurtzand#8217;s 17th goal of the season.

When the game was scoreless and even with the lead, Elkoand#8217;s defense never flinched under any pressure. Emily Ziolkowski, Kaitlyn Myers, Erin Nielsen and Morgan Canepa refused to allow the Lady Wolverines many good looks at the goal.

When they did get a good look, Elko keeper RaeLynn Forcella was there to make the stop. The junior goalie tallied seven saves.

and#8220;For not being tested all season, my defense has really stepped it up,and#8221; Nicholls said as her squad finished off its 22nd shutout of the season.

Truckeeand#8217;s defense played a solid game as well led by Maison Power and Sammy Holoday. The Wolverines were able contain the highly potent Elko offense, which came in averaging about seven goals per game.

and#8220;I canand#8217;t say anything but positive things about my girls,and#8221; Jamison said. and#8220;Their ball control was amazing, their passing was great.and#8221;

The Lady Indians, who are 26-2-1 on the season, play South Tahoe, which bested Boulder City 2-0 Friday, Saturday at noon for the state title. The two teams met last year with the Vikings posting a 2-0 win, but the Tribe dropped South Tahoe last weekend at the regional tournament by a 2-0 score.

and#8220;Weand#8217;ve got to come out with everything we have,and#8221; Nicholls said. and#8220;We have to be more prepared than we were today because we know South Tahoe wants it.and#8221;