LAKEPORT — Trailing 2-0 after the first 10 minutes of Saturday”s non-league varsity girls” soccer game against Sonoma Academy, the Clear Lake Cardinals rallied with three second-half goals to beat the Coyotes 3-2 at Don Owens Stadium.
“We”ve been fighting through a lot of injuries but we”re getting healthy now,” Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea said. “That was about as complete a game as we”ve played all season.”
Sonoma Academy, the North Coast Section champion three years running from 2007-09, hadn”t lost to Clear Lake in a number of years, according to Larrea.
“I think the last time we beat them was six years ago,” he said.
Clear Lake”s defense bottled up the Coyotes in the second half, allowing just three shots on goals, paving the way for the comeback.
“All the girls in the middle did a really nice job,” Larrea said of players Nadine Bradley, Emily Norwood and Chelo Lundquist-Krag. “Chelo shut down their top player … she didn”t have a single shot.”
Bradley scored 10 minutes into the second half to cut Sonoma Academy”s lead in half. Kristy Hayes tied it with a goal midway through the half and it remained 2-2 until Savannah Dekeyser punched in a shot with five minutes remaining.
“Savannah was outstanding all day,” Larrea said. “She put a lot of pressure on the outside and spread out their defense.”
Amely Ballesteros and Telia Paskaly had assists in the win.
Heather Werner took over for starting keeper Darian Ottolini to open the second half and turned in a solid effort, according to Larrea.
“Heather does a great job,” Larrea said.
Ottolini aggravated an earlier knee injury and is unlikely to play today when the Cardinals (8-2-2) visit St. Helena in league action.
“We don”t drop off much when Heather is out there,” Larrea said of the sophomore. “We do lose Darian”s experience.”
