Middletown boys take early lead in 3-1 loss to Calistoga
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MIDDLETOWN >> Bella Alcantar, a senior, scored goals in both halves as the Middletown High School varsity girls soccer team beat Calistoga 3-2 on Monday in Middletown, squaring the Mustangs’ record at 1-1.
“There are many positives from the game, but there are also many elements we need to develop and adjust,” Middletown head coach Lee Hoage said.
Among the positives were Alcantar and some solid play off the Middletown bench.
“Alcantar was dialed in on goal tonight delivering two nice scores for us,” Hoage said.
Middletown also overcame the loss of three missing defensive starters.
“We had some new players step up big in the back like freshman Kenzie Sheffer,” Hoage said. “Senior captain Diva Ruiz kept the shape in defense and stifled Calistoga most of the game.”
Hoage also praised the play of his midfield.
“Senior captain Diana Montes helped control the midfield and set up several attacks out of the midfield with junior Thaly Rodriguez Meza,” Hoage said. “We also had some nice scoring opportunities and pressure on their goal.”
Sophomore Ally Cherry, an All-League first-team striker for the Mustangs last season, fired a shot into the left corner to give Middletown a 2-0 lead in the second half. Alcantar’s second goal of the game made it 3-0 later in the half.
“Our team was tenacious, and our seasoned players worked well with our new players,” Hoage said.
Middletown continues its non-league schedule Friday in Tomales.
In other girls soccer action Monday:
Kelseyville 3, Ferndale 1
At Kelseyville, the Kelseyville Knights scored a pair of goals in the final eight minutes of the first half to go up 2-0 and went on to defeat the Ferndale Wildcats in non-league action.
Kelseyville is off to a 4-0 start.
“The Lady Knights battled through the heat today and showed how much they’ve grown as a team,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said. “Midfielders and defenders held strong, pushing the ball forward and setting up opportunities.”
Mikaela Rico scored the first of her two goals with eight minutes remaining in the first half to break up a scoreless deadlock. The Knights were awarded a penalty kick with two minutes remaining in the half and Banesa Munoz buried her shot into the back of the net, making it 2-0.
Kelseyville added to its lead in the second half. Passes by Jocelyn Olea-Lopez and Jacki Chavez set up Rico’s goal for a 3-0 lead.
“A true team effort,” Rodriguez said.
Ferndale avoided the shutout with two minutes left in the game, capitalizing on a free kick that sailed into the net.
“The defense held strong throughout the match, and goalie Kassandra Rodriguez did an outstanding job in the box, making several key saves to keep the Wildcats out and protect the Knights’ lead,” Rodriguez said.
Kelseyville’s coach said she is pleased with her team’s play so far and is optimistic about the remainder of the schedule.
“The team’s growth is shining through, and our new players are stepping up with the kind of fight and determination that makes us excited for what’s ahead,” Rodriguez said.
Kelseyville is home Tuesday to play Upper Lake at 4:30 p.m., a non-league contest that doubles as a pool-round game in the Tyler Memorial Invitational hosted by Upper Lake.
Boys soccer
Calistoga 3, Middletown 1
At Middletown, Wyatt Davis collected his own deflected shot and put it back into the net to give Middletown a 1-0 halftime lead, but the Calistoga Wildcats wore down the Mustangs in the second half to come away with the non-league victory.
“We started strong in the first half,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “Playing with a (single) sub in the second half proved to be harder to maintain an effective defense as players felt the heat.”
Middletown senior center-defender Tony Juarez played a strong first half and helped keep Calistoga off the scoreboard.
Davis, a junior, snapped the scoreless tie with a goal assisted by Caleb Ahlmann.
Middletown (0-2) travels to Willits on Thursday to play the Wolverines at 5 p.m.