Kelseyville hands Fort Bragg first league loss to create three-team logjam
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FORT BRAGG >> It looks like the North Central League I varsity boys soccer race is going right down to the wire.
The Kelseyville Knights created a three-team logjam atop the league standings Thursday night with a 2-0 road victory over Fort Bragg, the Timberwolves’ first league loss. With just over two weeks remaining in the NCL I race, Lower Lake (7-1) owns a half-game edge over both Kelseyville (6-1-1) and Fort Bragg (6-1-1), but with three key games remaining – Lower Lake plays at Fort Bragg on Oct. 21 and at Kelseyville on Oct. 28, the regular-season finale for both teams.
Kelseyville and Fort Bragg battled to a 2-2 tie on Sept. 16 in Kelseyville, and the rematch Thursday was a virtual must-win for the Knights to stay in the league race.
“We went into the game knowing the stakes, but we treated it like a normal game, and I think that was really important for us today,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “We played loose, free and together out there today.”
Added White, “Every aspect of our team was connected, from Diego Serrato at keeper to our superb defense to my offensive attack. Fort Bragg is an excellent team that does not beat themselves. We had to go win this game today.”
A defensive struggle for most of the first half, Kelseyville finally broke through in the 21st minute when Jair Inostroza Carrillo crossed the ball to a wide-open Luis Alvarado, who blasted the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“We created a few more chances in the first half, but nothing of note,” White said.
Both defenses continued their lockdown play until late in the second half. Sebastian Cacho dribbled down the left side and found a cutting Diego Rico for the goal, the goal coming in the 78th minute.
“That gave us a chance to breathe,” White said of the 2-0 lead. “That was important given how our last game ended when Fort Bragg tied the game with five minutes left. I felt we were the better team in that game. We made multiple mistakes and gave away a win. No tonight.”
Although Kelseyville entered Thursday’s action trailing Fort Bragg and Lower Lake in the standings, White said his players knew the league title was well within their reach.
“I told my guys before the second half of the league schedule started on Tuesday (with a 5-0 home win over Clear Lake) that we still controlled our own destiny; we had to win out,” White said. “We have won the first two and have four more to go, three of which are at home. I could shout out guys in this game, but I feel like that would undermine the team effort tonight, so a shoutout for my whole team.”
The Knights stay on the road Tuesday to play Upper Lake at 4:30 p.m.
