Lower Lake boys soccer remains one back of league leader Fort Bragg in loss column
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CLOVERDALE >> Yael Viverios and Fernando Castellano scored first-half goals to lift the Lower Lake Trojans to a 2-0 North Central League I win over the Cloverdale Eagles on Tuesday in Cloverdale.
The victory keeps Lower Lake (6-2-1 league, 8-3-3 overall) one game behind Fort Bragg (8-1-1, 13-4-2) in the loss column in the league race. Fort Bragg visits Lower Lake next Tuesday.
Adrian Guzman and Marco Soto had assists for the Trojans.
Lower Lake hosts Middletown on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
In other boys soccer action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 1, Willits 1 (tie)
At Lakeport, the Clear Lake Cardinals and Willits Wolverines battled to a draw, the second time they’ve tied in NCL I play this season. Clear Lake also owns a 1-0 non-league victory over the Wolverines.
Both teams scored in the first half. Clear Lake’s goal scorer was not reported.
Clear Lake is 5-3-2 in league play and 10-4-4 overall. Willits is 4-2-3 in the NCL I standings.
Kelseyville 3, Upper Lake 0
At Kelseyville, Joey Watson, Omar Mercado Marquez and Jair Inostroza Carrillo all scored for Kelseyville in a shutout victory over the Upper Lake Cougars. Mercado Marquez also had an assist.
“A really solid performance from my team today and everyone got into the game, so it was a good day,” Kelseyville head coach Kc White said. “We had 41 shots, 25 of which were on goal, which is a huge number.”
Added White, “Credit to Upper Lake’s keeper (Alan Alvarado) for putting in a solid game. I thing he had 17 saves today.”
Watson scored in the 16th minute with an assist from Mercado Marquez, who scored on a penalty kick four minutes later to make it 2-0, the halftime score.
Kelseyville (5-3-2, 8-6-3) added to its lead in the 64th minute on a free kick from just outside the box by Inostroza Carrillo.
“An absolutely perfect free kick,” White said.
Kelseyville’s defense held Upper Lake (0-9, 0-14-1) without a shot on goal.
“My defense was great tonight, and that includes both starters and substitutes,” White said.
Added White, “This was a prime spot for a letdown after our game against Fort Bragg (1-1 tie last Thursday), and the energy and intensity was down, but we stuck with it and got the W. With two weeks left in our season, I’m expecting elevated levels of intensity for every game, and that starts on Thursday against Willits. We lost 3-2 after leading 2-0 a few weeks ago against Willits, so this is a date my team has had circled.”
Thursday’s game with the Wolverines takes place in Willits at 5 p.m.
Fort Bragg 5, Middletown 1
At Middletown, Andres Yebra’s second-half goal assisted by brother Xavier Yebra kept the Middletown Mustangs from being shut out by the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Fort Bragg plays as a unit and does an excellent job moving the ball around the pitch,” Middletown head coach Katie Robinson said. “They are a strong team that makes you work for every opportunity, and to compete with them you have to be ready to play your best soccer.”
Fort Bragg held a 3-0 lead by halftime.
“Fort Bragg was able to capitalize on opportunities early, build a lead in the first half that proved difficult to overcome,” Robinson said. “Our defense worked hard to hold the line and prevent many shots from developing, but Fort Bragg found a few opportunities to break through and put the ball in the net.”
Robinson credited her keeper, David Reyes, with a handful of great saves in goal.
“In the second half, we began playing more as a unit, connecting our passes and doing a better job of working together across the pitch,” Robinson said. “Ultimately, we need to do a better job of creating and finishing scoring opportunities. We played well in moments, but we weren’t at our best, and against a team like Fort Bragg, we need to bring that level of focus and intensity from the opening whistle.”
Added Robinson, “I always appreciate the sportsmanship Fort Bragg brings to the game. They are a talented team that plays together, and competing against teams like them gives us an opportunity to learn, grow and identify where we need to improve.”
Middletown is 4-5 in league and 6-7-2 overall.
The Mustangs play in Lower Lake on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
