LAKEPORT — Briana Dutcher, the only healthy forward in Clear Lake”s starting lineup Thursday, scored a goal in each half to propel the Cardinals to a 3-1 North Central League I South varsity girls” soccer win over the Upper Lake Cougars at Lakeport.
Dutcher scored in the first half to give Clear Lake (3-4, 9-10-2) a 1-0 lead and her second goal of the game, that coming midway through the second half, put the Cardinals ahead to stay at 2-1.
“It was one of those kicks that went in nicely, there was no defending it,” Upper Lake coach Mike Sheets said. “That”s a kick you admire no matter who does it.”
Alexxis Buchholz scored in the first half for Upper Lake, one of only three shots on goal allowed by the Cardinals” defense all day.
Clear Lake was minus four starters for the game but the Cardinals dominated play at midfield, leading to 30 shots on goals.
Chelo Lundquist-Krag, Emily Norwood and Nadine Bradley, who scored the Cardinals” other goal, all were instrumental in the Cardinals” strong midfield play, according to Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea.
Dutcher”s play at forward was no less valuable.
“She”s our senior captain,” Larrea said. “She not only scored two goals, but whenever we needed possession of the ball, she came from nowhere to get it.”
The Cardinals also received a solid effort from Cierra Lopez at wing.
Larrea said the Cardinals are hoping to be back at full strength when they close out their South schedule Tuesday at home against St. Helena.
“It was one of those game that was really, really fun to watch,” Sheets added.
In other action Thursday:
Middletown 10, Kelseyville 0
At Middletown, Emily Reed scored three times and Hannah Diaz picked up two more goals as the Middletown Mustangs cruised by the Kelseyville Knights in NCL I North action.
Middletown improved to 6-0 in the North standings and 14-1-1 overall.
Both Reed and Leslie Preciado headed in goals for the Mustangs, who led 6-0 after one half.
“We had a couple of very nice shots,” Middletown co-coach Louise Owens said. “Reed headed one into the corner of the goal.”
In addition to her two goals, Diaz also had an assist for the Mustangs.
“As always, Hannah Diaz had a great game,” Owens said. “(Missy) Denno also did a great job for us.”
Kimmi Klewe anchored the Middle-town defense.
“She did a nice job pushing the defense up to help support the midfield,” Owens said.
Kelly Wilkinson had a goal and two assists for the Mustangs.
Boys” soccer
Kelseyville 13, Middletown 3
At Middletown, Oscar Martinez scored three goals and had two assists to lead the Kelseyville Knights past the Middletown Mustangs in NCL I North boys” soccer action.
Kelseyville led 7-0 at halftime.
“They (Mustangs) played OK,” Kelseyville coach Eduardo Ledesma said. “Most of our goals came by counterattack.”
Kyler Baldwin and Raphael Roy-Labelle scored goals for the Mustangs. Shawn Fromer had two assists.
“It was 0-0 after 15 minutes,” Middletown coach Chuck Rannells said. “Like every other game we made a few mistakes and that opened the door. But I liked some of the things we did.”
Clear Lake 4, Upper Lake 0
At Lakeport, Matt Weiss scored twice and Juan Alvarado and Jorge Garcia added goals as the Clear Lake Cardinals avenged an earlier 3-2 loss to Upper Lake by shutting out the Cougars this time around.
Alvarado also had an assist.
Clear Lake scored three times in the second half to pull away.
