WILLITS — The Middletown Mustangs found themselves in relatively unfamiliar territory trailing 1-0 to the Willits Wolverines after one half Wednesday during a North Central League I North varsity girls” soccer game at Willits.
“That”s the first game we”ve been scored on first other than St. Vincent (a 2-0 loss on Sept. 17),” Middletown coach Louise Owens said. “But we kept our heads up, kept to the gameplan.”
Middletown rallied with four goals in the second half to beat Willits 4-1 and complete the first half of its NCL I North schedule at 4-0. The Mustangs also improved to 11-1 overall with their seventh straight victory.
Britanny Cash scored the first of her two goals nine minutes into the second half to tie the score. Emily Reed had the assist.
It remained 1-1 for another 10 minutes before Taylor Sloan, taking a pass from Kelly Wilkinson, scored to put Middletown in front to stay.
Cash and Reed added insurance goals later in the half.
The Wolverines” only shot of the game produced a goal in the 18th minute of the first half.
“They caught us out of position and took advantage of it,” Owens said.
It was the only mistake by a Middletown defense that otherwise dominated the Wolverines.
“I feel confident in our defense to handle any situation,” Owens said.
Field conditions were wet but not muddy, according to Owens, who said the Mustangs did a good job of controlling the ball, especially in the second half.
“We had a hard time adjusting to the slow conditions in the first half. Speed is something that works for us,” Owens said. “There are a lot of potholes on that field and we did a good job of settling the ball.”
Middletown takes a break from its North schedule today to play at St. Helena in NCL I interlock action. On Tuesday, the Mustangs travel to Fort Bragg for a big North contest against the Timberwolves, who they beat 3-0 on Oct. 1 in Middletown. Game time is 5 p.m.
