Kelseyville girls close out non-league schedule with home victory, league up next
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KELSEYVILLE >> Held scoreless through the first half, the Kelseyville High School girls soccer team came alive in the second half to shut out the Tomales Braves 5-0 in non-league action at Kelseyville.
The game was halted for about 10 minutes in the first half because of lightning.
“For this game, I started mostly with our second string, but we couldn’t afford to let our guard down because in soccer, anything can happen,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said. “Tomales put up a good fight from the start. Their defense stayed organized, and their goalkeeper came up with some strong saves to keep us scoreless through the half.”
Kelseyville’s starters didn’t waste any time giving the Knights the lead in the second half. Kat Wheelan scored the first goal, and Jocelyn Olea-Lopez battled through a crowded box and scored the Knights’ second goal about 10 minutes later.
Kelseyville moved out to a 3-0 lead off a corner kick from Vanessa Reyes to Mikaela Rico, who blasted the ball into the net. Reyes scored her own goal a few minutes later to make it 4-0. Xiomara Arias capped the scoring with an assist from Rico.
“While the first half showed some struggles with finishing, most of the play stayed in our attacking half,” Rodriguez said. “In the second half, the Knights came out sharper, with more energy and determination. Midway though the half, the rain started pouring, but the girls embraced it, playing with grit and joy despite being soaked.”
Kelseyville takes a 9-1 record into its North Central League I opener Thursday in Lakeport against Clear Lake at 4:30 p.m.
“This was another reminder that we can’t let our guard down at any point,” Rodriguez said. “We have to keep playing with intensity from start to finish. We are super proud of these girls, win or lose.”