Clear Lake tops Middletown, Kelseyville blanks Upper Lake in girls soccer action
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LAKEPORT >> Jeanette Luevano’s hat trick helped carry the Clear Lake High School girls soccer team to a 4-1 non-league victory over the visiting Middletown Mustangs on Thursday at Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport.
“The team did amazing work against Middletown,” Clear Lake head coach Gustavo Carbajal said. “I’m very proud of these girls. They are working hard as a team and its showing.”
Haylie Garcia also scored for the Cardinals (2-0). Sellena Carbajal, Aleeya Bodi and Hailey Perez all had assists in the win.
Senior captain Thaly Rodriguez Meza scored on a penalty kick for Middletown (1-1).
“Our team is young and we expect some growing pains,” Middletown head coach Cassi Clark said. “Still, they all played extremely well.”
Standouts for the Mustangs included sophomore captain and defensive midfielder Trinity Wood, and freshman keeper Rylie Slaight with 11 saves.
“We hope to learn from this game, find our vibe, and keep striving to be better every day,” Clark said.
In other girls soccer action Thursday:
Kelseyville 9, Upper Lake 0
At Kelseyville, Mikaela Rico’s six goals, five of them coming in the first half, propelled Kelseyville to its first win of the season, a shutout victory against the Upper Lake Cougars (0-2).
The Knights (1-1) had a 6-0 lead by halftime.
“The Lady Knights played a very game defensively,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said. “One of the things I was especially proud of was how much communication there was on the field. The girls were talking to each other, supporting each other and playing together as a team. We still have things to work on, but it is really starting to come together.”
Added Rodriguez, “I also want to give credit to the Upper Lake girls who never gave up and continued to fight throughout the entire game. Their goalkeeper especially kept her head in the game and continued going after every shot. That kind of determination deserves respect.”
Minus a trio of starters, the Cougars faced an even taller task in taking on the defending North Central League I champions.
“Our Upper Lake girls faced a tough and skilled Kelseyville squad yesterday,” Upper Lake head coach Jim Keck said. “With three of our starters out of the lineup our younger girls had the opportunity to get some time on the pitch and gain some game-time experience. Both teams played with great sportsmanship and heart. We are looking forward to playing tem later in the season with everyone healthy.”
Keck complimented the play of keeper Charlie Robbins, midfielder Ally Abreu and first-year player Lilly Boke.
“Charlie had numerous amazing saves,” Keck said. “Ally Abreu had a great showing on defense when moved to the back line.”
Likewise, the Knights had their share of standouts. Besides Rico’s six goals, Vanessa Reyes scored twice and had an assist, and Kylee Denham scored with an assist from Brooke Poff. Hiliana Rico and Aubrey Mullen also had assists.
“I am also very proud of senior Lexxi Pantaleon, who stepped up and went into goal after our freshman goalkeeper, Andrea Jimenez, was injured,” Rodriguez said. “Lexxi accepted the challenge and did a great job stepping into a position she wasn’t originally expected to play.”
Rodriguez also praised the play of forward Jackie Chavez, defenders Poff, Dakota Burton Anna Duran and Ximena Herren, and midfielders Hiliana Rico and Mel Jimenez.
