Mustangs honor nine seniors before beating Upper Lake in final home game
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MIDDLETOWN >> Autumn Clark, one of nine seniors honored by the Middletown High School girls soccer team on senior night, scored five times as the Mustangs tuned up for the North Coast Section playoffs with a 7-0 victory over the Upper Lake Cougars on Tuesday night in Middletown.
It was the North Central League I finale and regular-season finale for the Mustangs (9-3 league, 10-8-1 overall). Upper Lake closes league play at 1-11 and drops to 3-18 overall.
“It was a lovely night to honor our seniors,” Middletown head coach Lee Hoage said. “Our nine seniors have been such a nice group of players to coach. They have made my final season coaching so enjoyable. Their development, performances and their personalities have made this a fun finale for me. I will miss those moments, but I have felt so incredibly grateful to have had the chance to be a part of their season and the entire team.”
Added Hoage, “They are all a great group of competitive and intelligent soccer players. I will miss their spirit, the laughter and the beautiful soccer games they have put together.”
Sophie Yebra, one of the nine seniors on the team, scored a goal as did junior Braleigh Bokum.
Clark’s goal onslaught in 2025 continued.
“She certainly knows how to score,” Hoage said. “She gets some nice service balls and then knows what to do with them. She has a relentless drive to score. She positions well and looks for the ball to be played to her in space and then breaks so quickly for it. She is able to get a step on the defender and head to the goal and finish.”
Hoage also had high praise for Yebra, a defender.
“She had one of her bet games on offense and defense,” Hoage said. “She gave us another locked-in performance in the back but also came forward to create several scoring opportunities running at the striker position. It was fun to see her score one! She always puts out a full effort when she is on the pitch.”
Added Hoage, “Senior Thira Hoage had one of her best games playing both midfield and striker. She was able to have some good runs at right striker and create pressure. She had a couple shots on goal. I was happy to see her open up some passing lanes and work the ball up to create scoring opportunities for us. She was dialed into the game and it was nice to see her create plays and attack forward more.”
The Mustangs also welcomed defender Diva Ruiz back to the field after an injury cost her most of her senior season.
“Diva was a starting defender in the first part of our season but went out with a back injury,” Hoage said. “She was finally cleared to play and it was great to see her back in her element for some solid minutes. She loves the game, and this was a great moment in her soccer career.”
Hoage also complimented seniors Diana Montes, Karina Lopez, Bella Alcantar, Allyson Pina and Aanis Marinez for a strong effort.
Middletown, runner-up in the NCL I standings to champion Kelseyville (12-0), will apply for an at-large berth in next week’s North Coast Section playoffs. The at-large and seeding meeting is Sunday.
“We now need to prepare well for playoffs,” Hoage said. “We have to lock in and synergize on offense and defense. We will be working on our finishes and our mid to striker building and attack sequences.”
