MIDDLETOWN — Playing their final home game of the regular season, the undefeated Middletown Mustangs honored their five seniors before taking the field and beating the St. Helena Saints 5-1 in North Central League I varsity girls” soccer action at Middletown.
“It was senior appreciation day,” Middletown assistant coach James Welton said. “All of our seniors did great.”
That group includes Emily Reed, who scored two of Middletown”s goals, as well as Kelly Wilkinson and Alicia Salomon, each of whom had an assist. Senior Maria Castaldo anchored the defense. Maddie Kucer, the fifth senior, rooted on her teammates from the sideline as she recovers from an injury.
“She was our 12th man today,” Welton said of Kucer.
Middletown (10-0-1 league, 15-0-1 overall) opened up a 2-0 lead on goals by Hannah Diaz and Karina Vargas before St. Helena scored to make it 2-1. Diaz and Reed added goals later in the half as the Mustangs went into halftime leading 4-1. Reed added an insurance goal in the second half.
“We were a little flat to start but by the middle of the first half we started to really pick it up,” Welton said.
Middletown keeper Jesse Flynn made nine saves and freshman Morgan Backlin, who is filling in for Kucer, also played well on defense, according to Welton.
“She stepped it up strong,” Welton said.
Middletown substituted freely in the second half to rest starters and other players nursing minor bumps and bruises, according to Welton.
“Everybody got a good amount of playing time,” Welton said.
Middletown”s final three league games are at Kelseyville, Cloverdale and Clear Lake.
