Kelseyville shuts out Clear Lake 5-0, Lower Lake blanks Upper Lake 6-0
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KELSEYVILLE >> Tuning up for their big match Thursday at Fort Bragg, the Kelseyville High School boys soccer team shut out the Clear Lake Cardinals 5-0 in North Central League I soccer action Tuesday in Kelseyville.
Sebastian Cacho scored twice while Jair Inostroza Carrillo, Adrian Carrillo and Diego Rico had goals for Kelseyville (5-1-1 league, 10-5-2 overall). Luis Alvarado finished with a pair of assists and Jake Smart assisted on another goal.
“This was a really good response from my team,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “After the shenanigans of Thursday (a 2-1 loss at Lower Lake), I told my team that I was proud of the character they put out during the game. We came into this game more together, more like a family, and it showed.”
Cacho’s first goal, coming in the 19th minute, gave Kelseyville a 1-0 lead. It was set up by a through ball from Alvarado.
“From that point on, it felt like we broke the Cardinals’ spirit,” White said.
Five minutes later Alvarado sent a ball back Inostroza Carrillo, who put spin on the ball and bounced it over the keeper’s head for a 2-0 lead.
Cacho’s second goal came in the 27th minute when he pressured the Clear Lake keeper, won the ball and booted it into the net to make it 3-0.
Adrian Carrillo, a sophomore transfer from Willits, took a crossing ball from Smart and scored for a 4-0 halftime lead.
“The passing was brilliant the whole first half,” White said.
Not content with the 4-0 lead, White said he encouraged his players at halftime to not let up off the gas pedal.
“I told my guys that I wanted to go out and put this game away early in the second half and we did that,” White said.
Rico beat a handful of Cardinals on defense and knocked the ball into the net with a left-footed shot, making it 5-0.
Kelseyville’s reserves took it from there.
“It was great to get my reserves some time on the field in this game,” White said. “They played really well when they were out there.”
One of those reserves, Omar Mercado Marquez, turned in an especially strong effort, according to White.
“When all of the reserves were in the game, he was the best player on the field,” White said. “He is so aggressive out there.”
White also was pleased with the shutout given his starting keeper missed the game with food poisoning. Cameron Smith (first half) and Jorge Gonzalez (second half) shared the keeper duties against Clear Lake.
White also praised the play of Gerardo Garcia.
“Gerardo Garcia may be the most valuable player on this team,” White said. “He is irreplaceable at the center back position. He’s so sure-footed and makes the correct decision almost every time.”
Kelseyville travels to Fort Bragg on Thursday. Fort Bragg (5-0-1) and Kelseyville battled to a 2-2 tie on Sept. 16 in Kelseyville.
“The biggest game of the year for us to date,” White said. “We make the trip to Fort Bragg for a do-or-die game. If we win, we are right back in the hunt for a league championship. If we lose, it becomes very, very difficult to win the league.”
Game time is 6:45 p.m.
In other NCL I action Tuesday:
Lower Lake 6, Upper Lake 0
At Upper Lake, Lower Lake improved to 6-1 in league play and 9-3 overall by shutting out the Upper Lake Cougars (1-6, 4-12).
“Tough loss today,” Upper Lake head coach Thomas Santana said. “Our numbers were real low with injuries and the loss of players to grades. It’s really starting to take a toll. At times I was playing with 10 players on the field because I just didn’t have a sub to put in.”
Two of Upper Lake’s top players, Mario Olvera and Emmanuel Tapia, also missed the game with injuries, forcing Santana to move players around in the lineup.
“Jaden Nunez, our striker, is the one that has had to make the biggest sacrifice, moving from striker to center back,” Santana said. “He had played great at center back today. He helped control the game. Without him there’s no knowing how much bigger the loss would have been. Even at center back he still found a way to be dangerous on the offensive side with three really good free kicks.”
Added Santana, “Lower Lake moves the ball well and they’re a good team missing one of the best players in the league today. We played good at moments, but the lack of subs and the missing key pieces played a big role.”
Alan Alvarado had 12 saves for the Cougars.
Lower Lake scoring was not reported.
