St. Helena shuts out varsity 2-0 in league opener; JVs drop 6-0 decision
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ST. HELENA >> Two steps forward, three steps back has been the theme of the Kelseyville High School varsity boys soccer team this season.
The Knights, hoping to make a big impression after going winless through a tough non-league schedule, laid a goose egg in their North Central League I opener to the St. Helena Saints on Thursday in St. Helena, falling 2-0.
“It was an uninspired performance tonight from the Knights,” Kelseyville head coach KC White said. “Just when I think we have turned a corner and have started playing consistent soccer, we take three steps back and we back to square one. It has been an up-and-down season, and it continued tonight coming off a good performance on Tuesday (3-1 loss at Corning).”
St. Helena scored both of its goals in the second half as the Knights fell to 0-9-2 on the season.
“When we execute the things we work on in practice, we are a very difficult team to beat,” White said. “However, the times we play poorly, I find that we just kick the ball up, and more times than not it goes to the other team, and we are forced to play defense again. It’s a cycle that is not sustainable.”
White praised the efforts of Luis Alvarado and Jose Juarez following the loss.
“I was proud of Luis Alvarado tonight,” White said. “It takes a lot for a guy to have the courage and leadership to call out his teammates, but Luis challenged his team tonight to play more focused in the future. Only time will tell if it is successful or not.”
Said White about Juarez, “Jose Juarez was sensational in goal tonight. I think he may have crossed the double-digit mark in saves. He is improving every time out there.”
Kelseyville tries again for its first win of the season Saturday against San Juan in Citrus Heights at 2 p.m.
Junior varsity
Playing only its second game of the season, the Kelseyville junior varsity boys soccer team lost 6-0 to St. Helena in its league opener, falling behind 4-0 by halftime.
“I thought my starting lineup played really well,” White said. “However, the team being JV, I want to get all the guys into the game. When I started making subs, it went downhill a little.”
Added White, “It’s a learning experience for a lot of them, but I’m happy that they can get their legs under them at the JV level rather than being forced to play up.
“Jake Smart played most of the JV game, and then proceeded to play a lot of minutes in the varsity game, too. It goes to show how physically gifted he is,” White added.
Kelseyville is now 0-2.
The JVs return to action Monday against Casa Grande in Petaluma at 4 p.m.
