LAKEPORT — Maybe it was playing on a Monday. Maybe it was playing on a Monday with officials who showed up, and on time. Maybe it was all of the above or none of the above.
In any event, the Clear Lake Cardinals overcome a sluggish first half to beat the Fort Bragg Timberwolves 2-1 in a North Central League I varsity girls” soccer game that was originally scheduled for Oct. 6 in Fort Bragg except officials never showed up for the game. Clear Lake also had to wait 2 1/2 hours for officials to show up Thursday in a game at Willits.
“I think it threw us off,” Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea joked of officials showing up on time, although he was quick to point out that both games were out of the county. “We haven”t had a problem with the officials from our association. They show up.”
Fort Bragg had only three shots on goal during the game but scored in the first six minutes to take a 1-0 lead, a lead the Timberwolves held until Telia Paskaly scored five minutes into the second half for Clear Lake (9-0-1 league, 15-2-2 overall).
The Cardinals moved ahead to stay 2-1 on a Chelo Lundquist-Krag goal with 15 minutes left to play.
Clear Lake keeper Heather Werner didn”t see a lot of action but she did save a potential game-tying shot in the second half, knocking it above the frame.
Another standout for Clear Lake was Amely Ballesteros at sweeper.
“She did a nice job,” Larrea said.
It was only the second Monday game for Clear Lake this season. The Cardinals lost the other, dropping a 5-1 decision to Roseland Prep on Sept. 12 in Santa Rosa.
“I guess we don”t do Mondays well,” Larrea said.
Hannah Norwood and Savannah Dekeyser had assists for the Cardinals, who hit the road today to play Lower Lake in NCL I action at 6 p.m.
