Lady Knights open season with 3-1 road victory over Clear Lake Cardnals
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LAKEPORT >> After spending the last three years playing winter soccer, the Kelseyville High School varsity girls soccer team returned to the fall season with a 3-1 win over the Clear Lake Cardinals behind two goals, both penalty kicks, from Benesa Munoz on Thursday in Lakeport.
Clear Lake (1-1) jumped in front 1-0 on goal by Genesis Garcia before Munoz pulled the Knights even with her first goal with two minutes remaining before halftime.
“She stepped up with confidence and buried it,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said of the penalty kick.
Kelseyville (1-0) pushed ahead to stay in the second half on a Mikaela Rico goal assisted by Ximena Herren. Clear Lake (1-1) kept the pressure on the rest of the way, according to Rodriguez, but the Knights were able to gain some much-needed breathing room when Munoz again delivered on a penalty kick, this one with four minutes remaining, to make it 3-1.
“Both goalkeepers had standout performances,” Rodriguez said. “Clear Lake’s keeper (Amelie Davis) made countless saves to keep her team in the game. Kelseyville’s Kassandra Rodriguez also came up big, with several key stops to protect the lead.”
“She is a very good player,” Clear Lake head coach Gustavo Carbajal said of Davis, who is just a freshman.
Added Rodriguez of her team’s season opener, “It was a complete team effort, with every player contributing and showing strong support for one another on the field.”
Said Carbajal of his team’s first loss of the season, “I’m very proud of my team. Losing is not fun, but it will make us stronger than ever.”
Kelseyville and Clear Lake are both entered in the Technology Tournament on Friday Saturday in Rohnert Park.
