FORESTVILLE — Brandon Rannells scored a pair of goals and Jesus Garcia added a penalty kick for the Middletown Mustangs in a 6-3 loss to the El Molino Lions on Tuesday evening during a non-league varsity boys” soccer game in Forestville.
It was the season opener for the Mustangs (0-1), who didn”t have to wait long to get their first goal and first lead of the 2013 season. Rannells scored on a breakaway just 10 seconds into the game, Jorge Morales assisting on the lightning-quick attack.
El Molino tied the game on a penalty kick and added two more goals for a 3-1 first-half lead. The Lions scored early in the second half to make it 4-1 before the Mustangs answered with goals by Rannells and Garcia to make it 4-3. Garcia also picked up an assist on Rannells” second goal.
“A couple of mistakes led to a couple of quick goals for them,” Middletown coach Chuck Rannells said of the Lions” final two scores in the second half.
In a game that was delayed 30 minutes by a sprinkler malfunction on the playing field, Rannells said the Mustangs “looked really good” for a first game. “I think we have a more talented team this year. They exceeded what I expected.”
Middletown hosts Upper Lake on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
