Kelseyville shuts out Upper Lake 5-0, faces first-place showdown Tuesday in Willits
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KELSEYVILLE >> Kat Wheelan’s hat trick, including a header that opened the scoring for Kelseyville, propelled the Knights to a 5-0 victory over the Upper Lake Cougars in North Central League I girls soccer action Thursday in Kelseyville.
“Despite the scoreline, the Lady Cougars played with heart and determination throughout the match,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said.
Kelseyville (3-0 league, 12-1 overall) extended its winning streak to five games, all of them shutouts. The Knights have allowed only six goals this season and have nine shutouts to their credit. Three of the goals they’ve allowed were to Ferndale over two non-league games (one win, one loss).
The Knights’ defensive line, the cornerstone of the team’s success this season, stopped Upper Lake at every turn.
Wheelan scored the first of her three goals just five minutes into the game, heading in a perfectly placed cross from teammate Kylee Denham. It remained a 1-0 game until Mikaela Rico found the back of the net with 10 minutes left in the first half. Wheelan intercepted a pass minutes later and scored again for a 3-0 halftime lead.
Kelseyville capitalized on a corner kick by Denham to open up a 4-0 lead early in the second half as Xiomara Arias scored from outside the box.
“A stunning goal,” Rodriguez said.
Wheelan completed her hat trick a few minutes later, boosting Kelseyville’s lead to 5-0.
“We are incredibly proud of the Lady Knights and their continued teamwork, hustle and sportsmanship,” Rodriguez said. “With a strong lead, we were able to give our second-string players valuable playing time once again, a great opportunity for growth and experience.”
Upper Lake is 1-2 in league and 2-7 overall.
The Knights return to action Tuesday in Willits at 6:45 p.m. Upper Lake hosts Fort Bragg on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.
In other NCL I girls soccer action Thursday:
Willits 6, Clear Lake 0
At Lakeport, the Willits Wolverines shut out the Clear Lake Cardinals (1-2, 5-5-1).
No other details were reported.
Willits (2-0-1, 3-0-2) hosts Kelseyville in a first-place showdown Tuesday in Willits.