Knights can’t hold 2-0 lead in 3-2 loss to visiting Willits Wolverines
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MIDDLETOWN >> Caleb Ahlmann’s header off Eli Pulido’s assist put the finishing touches on Middletown’s 3-1 victory over the Lower Lake Trojans in North Central League I boys soccer action Tuesday at Bill Foltmer Field in Middletown.
Middletown (2-2 league, 4-4-2 overall) trailed 1-0 early in the first half before Xavier Yebra tied the score with a goal in the 25th minute. Carter Rarick’s goal in the 34th minute put the Mustangs ahead to stay.
“I truly cannot be more proud of how the boys played tonight,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “They moved the ball beautifully, connecting on clean passes and working together to move the ball up the field. The teamwork we have been emphasizing all season was on full display.”
Ahlmann’s header in the second half gave the Mustangs some breathing room.
“Huge shutout to our leading defender, senior captain Luis Pamatz, who record 18-plus steals and continually helped keep us organized defensively,” Robinson said.
Junior captain and goalkeeper David Reyes had nine saves for Middletown.
“The boys are really starting to come together,” Robinson said. “The adjustments we have made to our formation have allowed our players to shine in their roles, and tonight they showed exactly what happens when they play as a unit.”
Lower Lake (2-1, 4-2-2) scoring was not reported.
Middletown is on the road Thursday to play Clear Lake in Lakeport at 6:15 p.m. Lower Lake travels to Fort Bragg on Thursday.
Willits 3, Kelseyville 2
At Kelseyville, Kelseyville built a 2-0 lead only to fall to the Willits Wolverines, who outscored the Knights 2-0 in the second half.
Angel Bernal’s goal off a Jorge Gonzalez assist staked the Knights (2-2, 5-5-1) to the early lead and it remained a 1-0 game until the 37th minute when Omar Mercado Marquez scored on a penalty kick to make it 2-0.
Willits scored immediately after Kelseyville’s second goal, a shot from midfield getting past the Kelseyville keeper and halving the Knights’ lead.
“Willits was the far superior team in the second half,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “They were the aggressors and they took it to us. They deserved to win the game. I don’t say often that my team was outplayed but were in the second half tonight.”
With the Knights’ leading scorer on the season, Jair Inostroza Carrillo, out of action with an injury, Kelseyville is scrambling to find offense.
“Our margin for error is small,” White said. “We can’t afford to make mistakes because we don’t have the offensive firepower to counter when we get behind. With that said, this is an opportunity for the younger players to step up and take over a role for now and in the future. I have been doing a lot of tinkering with my lineup to try to find the magic recipe, but I haven’t found the secret sauce.”
The Knights host Cloverdale on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
Clear Lake 7, Cloverdale 4
At Lakeport, Clear Lake improved to 2-1-1 in league play and 7-2-3 overall with a win over the visiting Cloverdale Eagles.
Clear Lake scoring wasn’t reported.
The Cardinals host Middletown on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
Fort Bragg 7, Upper Lake 0
At Fort Bragg, the Fort Bragg Timberwolves shut out the Upper Lake Cougars while improving to 3-0 in the league standings.
Upper Lake is 0-3 in league and 0-9 overall.
The Cougars play at Willits on Thursday at 6:45 p.m.
