Middletown senior propels Mustangs to 5-0 league victory over Clear Lake
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MIDDLETOWN >> Collecting her second hat trick in three games, Middletown High School senior Autumn Clark powered the Mustangs to a 5-0 victory over the Clear Lake Cardinals in North Central League I girls soccer action Tuesday in Middletown.
“Autumn is such a strong player with a great skill set,” Middletown head coach Lee Hoage said. “She breaks on the service balls so well. She positions herself in space and times her runs. It is her speed and breakaway dribble that gives her these shot opportunities. Her first stop and her ability to cut so quickly to the goal make her tough to defend. She also has power and placement on her finishing shots. This was another impressive performance from her.”
Middletown (8-2 league, 9-7-1 overall) also received goals from freshman Trinity Wood and senior Diana Montes. Wood’s goal, assisted by Thaly Rodriguez, staked the Mustangs to a 1-0 lead.
“Wood had a nice shot tonight,” Hoage said. “She is really developing her game and making an impact out on the field.”
Clark scored the next two goals, the first from the right top of the goal box, to make it 3-0 at halftime.
Montes scored off a corner kick that she redirected into the goal for a 4-0 Middletown lead early in the second half.
“It was nice for her to get a goal on her birthday,” Hoage said.
Clark completed her hat trick midway through the second half, increasing Middletown’s lead to 5-0.
“Clear Lake had some chances but could not convert,” Hoage said. “We also had other chances that we just could not finish.”
Hoage gave high marks to his defense after it logged its fourth shutout of the season.
“The defensive unit was in sync against tonight,” Hoage said. “The switches and coverages were really solid for us. Freshman Kenzie Sheffer played so well for us in the defensive sweeper position. She was locked in at the back as was senior defensive stopper Karina Lopez. Lopez gives us the early stops in the back and helps with that transition so well into the midfield and with the long send and clearance balls.”
Sheffer went down with an injury in the second half, according to Hoage.
“A really tough injury,” he said. “I hope she recovers but it looks like we will not have her back anytime soon.”
Allyson Pina was solid at keeper, according to Hoage.
The Mustangs hit the road Thursday to play undefeated Kelseyville (10-0) at 4:30 p.m.
“We have some adjustments to make as we prepare for Kelseyville, which is a really solid team and which will be a huge test for us,” Hoage said. “This team has been fun to see develop and synergize. They are playing so well together right now.”
