Tigers shut out Knights 3-0 in non-league action; both teams now 2-1
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KELSEYVILLE >> Arcata handed Kelseyville its first loss of the season, 3-0, in non-league boys soccer action Saturday at Kelseyville High School.
“My team was timid and scared at the beginning,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said as the Knights (2-1) failed to reach the scoreboard for the first time this year.
“We weren’t aggressive to the ball, we were making silly mistakes, our touch was inconsistent, and we weren’t in sync with our ball pressure at all,” White added. “Some of that improved in the second half, but that was a rough first half to watch.”
Kelseyville trailed 2-0 at halftime.
The Knights held the Tigers (2-1) scoreless until the 25th minute.
“A miscue in passing on the back line led to a one on one with our keeper and good teams don’t miss chances like that,” White said.
Kelseyville was called a handball in the box late in the first half, setting up Arcata’s second goal.
“My player was adamant that it wasn’t a handball,” White said.
Arcata scored in the opening minutes of the second half to go up 3-0.
“A failed clearance on a cross,” White said. “Those things happen, but we just had to live with it, unfortunately. We played them pretty evenly from that point on, which I’m happy about.”
Arcata, a section runner-up a year ago, provided the Knights with the type of quality competition White was looking for, according to the Kelseyville coach.
“I expected a really tough game today, and I don’t mind losing to that kind of team,” White said. “Arcata is really good. I’m happy we continued to work hard despite being behind. That kind of effort will benefit us moving forward this season.”
White praised the strong play of Kelseyville keeper Cesar Silva.
“This is his first year on my team, only a sophomore, so I’m happy to watch him develop,” White said. “He had a great game. He came out when he was supposed to and had some good saves. He wasn’t tested much in the first two games, but it’s important for him to have games like this too.”
Kelseyville hits the road Tuesday to play Middletown (1-0-2) at 4:30 p.m. The game is part of pool play in the Tyler Duncan Memorial Tournament sponsored by Upper Lake. Semifinal- and final-round games are Thursday and Saturday.
