Clear Lake, Middletown girls soccer teams also notch victories
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LOWER LAKE >> By the time they were done Tuesday night, the Kelseyville Knights had just eight players left on the field and the Lower Lake Trojans nine.
This red-card girls soccer fest went to the Knights, 3-0, as Kelseyville (14-0-0, 20-1-1) completed a second straight perfect run through the North Central League I standings with its shutout victory at Gordon Sadler Field. The Knights went 12-0 a year ago.
“What a physical game we had tonight,” Kelseyville head coach Irma Rodriguez said after the Knights completed their regular season with a 17th straight win. “I don’t even know how to explain this game, but one thing I can say is that these girls fought hard from beginning to end.”
Both teams lost two players in the first half. Kelseyville lost another in the second half.
“This was an extremely physical game between both teams,” Rodriguez said.
Kelseyville wasted absolutely no time taking the lead as Mikaela Rico assisted Hiliana Rico on the first of her two goals just two minutes into the game. Ten minutes later it was Vanessa Reyes feeding Hiliana Rico on her second goal and a 2-0 Kelseyville lead. The score remained unchanged until the 35th minute when Hiliana Rico assisted Mikaela Rico on a goal.
Lower Lake (8-4-1 league, 12-7-2 overall) had scoring opportunities in the first half, but Kelseyville keeper Andrea Jimenez was able to turn them all back.
“Andrea shut them down and kept them off the scoreboard,” Rodriguez said.
With both teams down to nine players to open the second half, Rodriguez said the game was all about heart and defense.
“Both teams continued to play hard, but our Lady Knights fought for every ball and did everything they could to shut down Lower Lake’s attack,” Rodriguez said. “There were a few times Lower Lake was able to break through out defensive line, but Grace Hobbs was there in goal and stopped every opportunity they had to get one past her.”
Losing a third player in the second half put even more pressure on the Knights.
“They continued fighting, defending, supporting one another and protecting that 3-0 lead all the way to the final whistle,” Rodriguez said.
With the emphasis on defense in the second half, Rodriguez said she couldn’t praise her team’s effort enough.
“Ximena Herren, Brooke Poff, Dakotah Burton, Ana Gutierrez and Lexxi Pantaleon, along with the other players who went in – Aubrey Mullen, Melanie Jimenez, Genavieve Joaquin, Alexandra Garcia, Lilly Rodriguez and Dezi Anderson – all stepped up and played great, battling hard and helping keep Lower Lake away from our goal,” Rodriguez said. “In the midfield, Vanessa Reyes did an amazing job controlling the center and working non-stop for her teammates.”
Kelseyville will learn on Sunday who, when and where it is playing next week when the North Coast Section playoffs open. Lower Lake is also headed to the postseason but still has one league game remaining, a Thursday trip to Upper Lake.
In other girls action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 2, Fort Bragg 0
At Lakeport, Sellena Carbajal and Jeanette Luevano scored goals as the Clear Lake Cardinals closed out their league schedule by shutting out the Fort Bragg Timberwolves.
It was senior night for the Cardinals, who honored Haylie Garcia and Maggie Paarsch.
Hailey Perez had an assist for Clear Lake (8-4-2, 16-4-3), which won its final four league games and went 5-0-2 in its final seven.
“I’m very proud of our team,” Clear Lake head coach Gustavo Carbajal said. “Everyone did great work.”
Clear Lake hosts Credo in a non-league game Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The Cardinals will learn on Sunday who, when and where they will be playing next week when the North Coast Section playoffs open.
Middletown 3, Upper Lake 1
At Upper Lake, Kenya Garcia, Ally Cherry and Trinity Wood all scored goals for the Middletown Mustangs in a league win over the Upper Lake Cougars.
Isa Barnes and Thaly Rodriguez logged assists as Middletown improved to 5-8 in the league standings and 9-12 overall.
Upper Lake is 3-10 in league and 3-16 overall.
Both teams close out their league and season schedules Thursday. Middletown hosts Willits and Upper Lake hosts Lower Lake.