Knights, Trojans both win 2-1 at home in North Central League I boys soccer action
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MIDDLETOWN >> Jair Inostroza Carrillo returned to the Kelseyville lineup and scored twice as the Knights held off the Middletown Mustangs 2-1 in North Central League I boys soccer action at Bill Foltmer Field in Middletown.
“Wow, it is nice to have Jair back,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “He is our most skilled offensive player, but more importantly, he is a second coach out there with his leadership. He picks the team up when we need that extra boost.”
Added White, “I really don’t know how Jair only missed three games. He is superhuman or something because he got hurt two weeks ago in Fort Bragg, and I was honestly concerned that not only would he miss the rest of the soccer season, but as a fan of is skills on the basketball court, he would also miss the basketball season.”
All the scoring took place in the first half. Middletown (2-4 league, 4-6-2 overall) struck first on a Carter Rarick goal assisted by Xavier Yebra. Inostroza Carrillo’s first goal, coming in the 25th minute, and assisted by Uriel Castillo Ochoa, made it 1-1. Two minutes later Joey Watson’s shot deflected right to Inostroza Carrillo, who volleyed the ball into the net for a 2-1 Kelseyville lead.
“I feel like we dominated in the first half,” Kc White said. “With all that said, Middletown outplayed us in the second half. That is something we need to remedy in the future. Credit to the Mustangs for pressuring us and making us sweat, both literally and figuratively. It was hot out there.”
With the mercury pushing triple digits, Kelseyville starting center mid Angel Bernal had to leave the game at one point because of heat illness.
White praised the play of center mids Castillo Ochoa and Anthony Arias.
“It wasn’t our strongest game, but there were still some positives to take away,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “We faced some challenges defensively when one of our stronger players was unavailable and our other center defender went down with an injury. This created some gaps in our coverage, and Kelseyville was able to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Added Robinson, “The boys continued to maintain possession and battled throughout the game. We were able to settle in defensively and hold Kelseyville scoreless in the second half.”
Ren Ueno recorded 23 saves, Maddox Schneider 18 and Nalu Johnson 13.
“Offensively, we know we need to create more opportunities,” Robinson said. “We simply didn’t have enough shots on goal to make the difference in this game. We’ll learn from this one and get back to work.”
Middletown hosts Upper Lake on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. while Kelseyville is home against Lower Lake at 6:15 p.m.
“Playing Lower Lake always brings the best out of both of our teams,” White said. “We tied in the Tyler Duncan Tournament (last months in Upper Lake). I’m expecting much of the same from them.”
Lower Lake 2, Clear Lake 1
At Lower Lake, Adrian Guzman and Yael Viveros scored for Lower Lake as the Trojans (3-2, 5-3-1) edged the Clear Lake Cardinals (3-2-1, 8-3-3).
Clear Lake’s goal was not reported.
Clear Lake travels to Fort Bragg on Thursday and Lower Lake visits Kelseyville.
Cloverdale 5, Upper Lake 1
At Cloverdale, in a battle of teams looking for their first league win, the Cloverdale Eagles got it against the visiting Upper Lake Cougars.
Alan Alvarado scored for Upper Lake (0-5, 0-11).
The Cougars play Thursday in Middletown at 6:15 p.m.
