MIDDLETOWN — A new formation and some aggressive play all factored in to give Middletown a 3-2 victory over Upper Lake in a North Central League I interlock varsity boys” soccer match played Thursday in Middletown.
Leading 2-1 late in the second half, Middletown picked up what proved to be the game-winning goal when Gio Ceremony received Miles Davis” corner kick and headed it into the top of the frame to put Middletown ahead 3-1.
The Cougars rallied and drove the ball the front of the Middletown goal, where in the mad scramble to control the ball a foul was called against Middletown in the penalty box as regulation time expired. Dennis Orozco took the penalty kick for Upper Lake and blew a shot past Middletown keeper Tyler Madsen to make it 3-2.
“We made some changes and played much better today,” Middletown coach Lee Hoage said. “Now we just need to keep it going.”
Middletown”s Miles Davis picked up the first goal of the match in the opening minutes as he took a wing pass to the front of the Upper Lake net and drove the ball home for a 1-0 lead.
Ceremony picked up his first goal of the game in the 16th minute as he headed a shot off the top of the frame and into the net.
Upper Lake answered back in the closing minutes of the first half as Quinn Womachka booted a crossing shot that ricocheted off Madsen into the top of the frame. The ball glanced off Madsen again as it came down and rolled into the net for a goal to make it 2-1. Jordan Arroyo picked up an assist on the play.
Middletown is 2-4.
