Kelseyville boys lose top player in 3-1 league loss at Fort Bragg
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MIDDLETOWN >> Xavier Yebra, Christian Ahlmann, Luis Pamatz and Carter Rarick all scored goals for Middletown in a 4-1 North Central League I victory over the visiting Cloverdale Eagles on Tuesday in Middletown.
Ahlmann, Pamatz and Rarick scored in the second half as Middletown (1-1 league, 4-3-2) pulled away after a 1-1 first half.
“The boys have been working hard on passing, ball control and maintaining possession, and that hard work really showed on the field,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said.
Yebra’s goal at the 10-minute mark in the first half put Middletown in front. Cloverdale pulled even later in the half, the Eagles taking advantage of some miscommunication on the Mustangs’ part as they were subbing a player into the game, according to Robinson.
Middletown senior keeper Joey Robertson didn’t allow another goal.
“He made eight saves, including an impressive, leaping save over the top,” Robinson said. “Joey’s hustle and communication kept the team organized.”
Added Robinson, “Our defense also held strong throughout the match, racking up numerous steals and winning the ball back to help keep pressure on Cloverdale.”
Ahlmann, a sophomore, put Middletown in front to stay with goal early in the second half. Goals by teammates Pamatz and Rarick followed later in the half.
“Caleb led the team in shots with 11 and was a constant threat throughout the match,” Robinson said.
“I was able to get a lot more players into the game, and I feel like the hard work the boys are putting in at practice is really starting to pay off,” Robinson said. “We made some adjustments to our lineup, and those changes paid off in this match. It was a great team effort, and the boys continue to show improvement every game.”
Middletown travels to Fort Bragg on Thursday to play the Timberwolves (1-0, 5-3-1) at 6:15 p.m.
Fort Bragg 3, Kelseyville 1
At Fort Bragg, losing the game was hard enough, but losing star player Jair Inostroza Carrillo to a foot injury was pouring salt into the wound for the Kelseyville Knights against the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
“We have been flirting with minor injuries all season long, but I think, unfortunately, we finally suffered a significant injury,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “Our top goal scorer, Jair Inostroza Carrillo, was stepped on by the Fort Bragg keeper, and I’m just hoping it isn’t as bad as it looked.”
Inostroza Carrillo scored on a penalty kick in the first half. Fort Bragg held a 2-1 lead at halftime, scoring the game’s first two goals. Joey Watson earned a penalty in the last minute of the half and Inostroza Carrillo converted the kick to make it 2-1.
It remained a 2-1 game until the 70th minute when Fort Bragg scored again to ice its victory.
“We started the second half really well and were taking it to Fort Bragg,” White said. “We had some good chances but couldn’t pull level.”
Added White, “Credit to my team. We continued to put in effort and created a couple of really good opportunities late in the game. That will pay dividends when Fort Bragg visits Kelseyville next month.”
White gave high marks to the play of Gavin Cunningham and Angel Bernal.
“Gavin Cunningham played unbelievable today,” White said. “He was everywhere. I love that Gavin took his performance last Thursday (against Clear Lake) personally and made it a point to play his absolute best today. That’s what I have been waiting to see from him.”
Bernal also did his job, according to White.
“Angel Bernal stepped up in the second half and was ultra-aggressive,” White said. “He was winning every one of his battles and really showed why he was made captain last week. He is a guy who hasn’t had much playing time in his career, but he has matured as a senior and makes the right decisions playing the most difficult position on the field.”
Kelseyville returns to action Thursday in Upper Lake at 6:15 p.m.
Clear Lake 4, Upper Lake 1
At Lakeport, the Clear Lake Cardinals beat the Upper Lake Cougars, improving to 1-1 in league play and 6-2-1 overall.
Ethan Gomez scored for the Cougars (0-1, 0-7) while Mario Olvera logged the assist.
The Cardinals held a 2-1 lead at the half.
Clear Lake scoring was not reported.
Alan Alvarado had eight saves in goal for the Cougars before leaving the game with an injury. Carlos Narvaes replaced him and had two more saves.
“For my first match with this team I will save despite four yellow cards and four reds cards given out between the two teams that both teams played with a lot of respect and sportsmanship,” new Upper Lake coach Fred Miller said. “It was a very emotional but clean game. I’m proud of how my team handled itself in a tough match.”
Players and coaches on both teams held a moment of silence for former Clear Lake High School star athlete and track coach Lars Ewing, who was killed in an auto collision early Friday morning in Colusa County. Ewing’s son plays for the Cardinals and his daughter plays for the Clear Lake girls squad.
Clear Lake hosts South Fork in a non-league game Wednesday at 4:30 before hitting the road Thursday to take on Willits in league action at 6:45 p.m. Upper Lake hosts Kelseyville on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
Lower Lake 4, Willits 2
At Lower Lake, the Lower Lake Trojans won their league opener, knocking off the Willits Wolverines at Gordon Sadler Field.
Lower Lake is 3-1-2 overall.
Lower Lake scoring was not reported.
The Trojans host Cloverdale on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
