Kelseyville beats Middletown 1-0 on 80th-minute penalty kick; Clear Lake tops Upper Lake
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MIDDLETOWN >> Jair Inostroza Carrillo’s penalty kick in the 80th minute lifted the Kelseyville Knights to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Middletown Mustangs during boys soccer action Tuesday at Bill Foltmer Field in Middletown.
“This was a tough, physical game,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “A couple of yellow cards on my side, a couple of red cards on the other. We stuck together despite not playing our best down a couple of starters (injuries) and a third starter for the first half (team rule). The guys played out of their positions today purely out of necessity.”
“What a highly contested game!” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “We hosted Kelseyville in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats from the opening whistle.”
The game’s lone goal, which came at the end of regulation time, was set up when Kelseyville’s Omar Mercado Marquez was tackled in the box, which forced him to leave the game with an injury.
“I’m hoping he’ll be good to go on Thursday, but he could barely put weight on his leg,” White said. “We will have to wait and see.”
Inostroza Carrillo nailed the penalty kick, firing the ball into the bottom left corner.
Both teams had numerous opportunities to get on the scoreboard.
“We created opportunities and put shots on goal, but unfortunately, we just couldn’t get one to find the back of the net,” Robinson said.
“Cesar Silva was sensational in goal again today,” White said. “He had some good saves to keep up scoreless.”
While it was a tough loss for the Mustangs (1-1-2), Robinson said several of her players stepped up with solid performances.
“Captain and junior goalkeeper David Reyes had a phenomenal game with an incredible 21 saves,” Robinson said. “He anchored our defense and put together a first-team, All-League-level performance. His leadership, composure and determination kept us in the game until the final whistle.”
Robinson also commended the play of her defensive line and that of midfielders Wyatt Davis and Asher Pyska.
“Our defensive line held strong all night, battling for every ball and refusing to give up easy opportunities,” Robinson said. “Captain Wyatt Davis and Asher Pyska were relentless, each recording 15-plus steals and helping us win possessions and create opportunities going the other direction.”
Kelseyville (3-1) plays Lower Lake (2-0-1) in the semifinals of the Tyler Duncan Memorial Tournament Thursday at Upper Lake High School. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. Middletown plays an opponent to be determined Thursday in the same tournament at Upper Lake.
Clear Lake 8, Upper Lake 0
At Upper Lake, Clear Lake (1-1-1) registered its first win of the season, shutting out Upper Lake (0-3).
Clear Lake scoring and other game details were not reported.
