SANTA ROSA — The Middletown Mustangs overcame a season”s worth of adversity even if they couldn”t beat No. 1 seed Sonoma Academy on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Class A girls” soccer playoffs at Montgomery High School.
Sonoma Academy ended Middletown”s season with a 3-1 victory.
“We had an up-and-down season with a lots of injuries and a lot of things holding us back,” Middletown coach Louise Owens said. “But we didn”t let it stop us.”
While Middletown was not able to win a third straight North Central League I North title ? the Mustangs (10-8-2) finished second behind Fort Bragg ? the team did earn a second straight postseason berth and did win its first playoff game, a 2-1 victory over former Class A champion Mendocino in the opening round.
“With all the adversity we had, I think it was a real successful season,” Owens said.
Against Sonoma Academy, the Mustangs hung tough for a half and trailed only 1-0.
“We were really excited knowing they couldn”t get through our defense,” Owens said. “Their only goal was a penalty kick.”
Middletown”s offense failed to generate a single shot on goal in the opening half.
Sonoma Academy built a 3-0 lead in the second half before Amber Preusser scored late in the match for Middletown.
“No one gave up, that was one of the neatest things,” Owens said.
Sonoma Academy (15-3-1) will play No. 4 seed Rincon Valley Christian in the quarterfinals Wednesday.
“They were as good as everyone said they would be,” Owens said. “They”re solid all around, well-trained. They have a lot of speed at every position.”
