Own-goal mistake costs Kelseyville in battle of NCL I powerhouses
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KELSEYVILLE >> North Central League I varsity boys soccer heavyweights Kelseyville and Fort Bragg squared off Tuesday in Kelseyville, the host Knights settling for a 2-2 tie after being shut out in the second half by the Timberwolves.
“This was an extremely hard-fought game, one in which I felt we were the better team,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “We had a really good first half, built some solid momentum, but couldn’t hold it in the end. Our mistakes again proved costly.”
Kelseyville grabbed a brief 1-0 lead in the 29th minute on a goal by Jair Inostroza Carrillo, only to immediately squander that lead because of a mistake.
“We opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a beautiful through ball by Jake Smart,” White said. “Jair Inostroza Carrillo used his speed to beat the defensive line and put us in front. However, our lead was short-lived because on one of the very next plays, we had a miscommunication on our back line, and we gave up an own goal to even the score at 1.”
Kelseyville quickly rallied to regain the lead, Diego Rico feeding Cameron Smith for the go-ahead goal and a 2-1 halftime lead.
The Knights had a penalty-kick opportunity early in the second half but couldn’t convert.
“And that missed chance proved costly in the end,” White said. “We got a little complacent and a little tired, and we were not ready for the push at the end by Fort Bragg in the 75th minute.”
Kelseyville keeper Diego Serrato turned away the initial attack by the Timberwolves, and a second Fort Bragg shot was denied by the Kelseyville defense as well. A third shot during the same series found its mark and tied the game.
“We made a nice push at the end but couldn’t get it (the lead) back,” White said. “If we eliminate our miscues, we win this game comfortably, which is what makes this game so frustrating. We will keep our heads up. In the end, we tied, which isn’t the end of the world.”
Kelseyville is 1-0-1 in league and 6-3-2 overall. The Knights host Upper Lake on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
