Guzman opens with hat trick in 4-1 road victory over Willits Wolverines
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KELSEYVILLE >> Kelseyville scored four times in the first half, getting goals from four different players along the way, and the Knights beat the Clear Lake Cardinals 4-1 in the season opener for both of these boys soccer teams Tuesday in Kelseyville.
Uriel Castillo Ochoa scored a goal and assisted on two others as the Knights (1-0) carried over momentum from the 2025 season, one during which they earned a three-way share of the North Central League I championship. Julio Lopez, Omar Mercado Marquez and Jair Inostroza Carrillo also scored for Kelseyville.
Levi Ewing had the lone goal for Clear Lake, which trailed 4-1 at halftime.
“If there was one tiny issue with my team last season, it was that we didn’t jump on teams early on,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “That wasn’t the case today. We jumped on them early and often and built a 2-0 lead in the first 13 minutes.”
Lopez scored off a throw-in from teammate Jorge Gonzalez to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later a cross to the far post by Ochoa set up a goal by Marquez to make it 2-0.
Kelseyville upped its lead to 3-0 in the 31st minute as an Ochoa crossing pass set up Carrillo for a goal. The Knights struck again four minutes later when Lopez’s shot off the post ricocheted to teammate Ochoa, who put the ball back into the net.
“The second half wasn’t as high intensity as the first, which is something I want to correct in the games ahead,” White said. “We have to play a complete 80 minutes and finish games stronger.”
Overall, White said it was a solid first effort for the 2026 Knights.
“I’m really happy with what I saw in the first half tonight,” White said. “That team is ready to compete and contend again.”
The Knights are home against Thursday to play Upper Lake (0-1) at 6:15 p.m.
In other boys soccer action Tuesday:
Middletown 6, Upper Lake 0
At Middletown, Luis Pamatz, a senior, and freshman Asher Pyska scored two goals apiece to lead the Middletown Mustangs (1-0) to a shutout victory over the Upper Lake Cougars (0-1). It was the season opener for both teams.
Pamatz and Pyska scored goals in each half for the Mustangs, who led 3-0 at halftime. Wyatt Davis, a senior team captain, scored on a penalty kick to close out scoring in the first half. Freshman Xavier Yebra scored an insurance goal in the second half.
“But this game was about more than just the goals,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “Our defense held strong from start to finish, allowing only three shots on goal. Goalkeeper Joey Robertson was solid in the net, helping our back line earn the shutout.”
Added Robinson, “As a coach I couldn’t be more proud of this group. We had an incredible turnout at tryouts with 34 players and ultimately selected 24 to represent Middletown. We knew we had a strong freshman class coming in but seeing our returning players and freshmen along with new upperclassmen come together so quickly has been incredible.
“There is still a long season ahead, but this team is showing exactly what happens when you work together, trust each other, and play for one another,” Robinson added.
Middletown hits the road Thursday to play Clear Lake (0-1) in Lakeport at 4:30 p.m.
Late Monday results
Lower Lake 4, Willits 1
At Willits, Adrian Guzman scored a hat trick and also had an assist in Lower Lake’s season-opening win Monday over the Willits Wolverines.
Following a scoreless first half, Guzman and the Trojans (1-0) went to work, scoring four times in the second half. Besides Guzman’s three goals, Juan Espinoza also scored for Lower Lake.
Yael Viveros Lopez assisted on two Lower Lake goals and Espinoza had another assist.
“It was an intense game, back and forth all game,” Lower Lake head coach Efrain Santana said. “Either team looked like they could take the win, Lower Lake just wanted it more.”
Lower Lake returns to action Wednesday in Boonville against Anderson Valley at 4:30 p.m.