KELSEYVILLE >> The Kelseyville Knights scored early and often in the first half en route to a 7-0 victory over the Clear Lake Cardinals in North Central League I boys” soccer action on Tuesday afternoon in Kelseyville.
Kelseyville, undefeated in the NCL I standings at 4-0-1, sent five shots into the net in the first 40 minutes to put the game away. Six players combined for the Knights” seven goals. Eduardo Castellanos led the way with two while Giovanni Ruiz, Victor Cacho, Elias Alvarez, Herminio Mendez and William Lopez had one apiece.
“They looked pretty strong,” Kelseyville coach Eduardo Ledesma said of his team”s crisp play in the first half. “It”s always fun to beat Clear Lake ? to play another county school.”
Kelseyville travels to Lower Lake on Thursday and is home against Willits next Tuesday to close out the first half of its league schedule. Based on the Knights” first five league games, Ledesma said he likes his team”s chances of contending for a championship.
Alvarez had a pair of assists in the win.
Clear Lake is 0-5 in league and 0-7 overall.
In other boys” soccer action Tuesday:
Lower Lake 1, Willits 1 (tie)
At Willits, Lower Lake”s defense silenced Willits in the second half as the two teams battled — figuratively and literally — to a tie. Benches cleared at game”s end when a Willits player punched a Lower Lake player in the face. The Willits player received a red card.
David Fernandez scored early in the second half to tie the game at 1. Willits” lone goal came in the final minute of the first half.
“We shut them down in the second half very well,” Lower Lake coach Dan Griffin said of a strong effort by his defense. “Our defense was great.”
Lower Lake (1-3-1, 3-5-1) had two breakaway opportunities after Fernandez tied the score. Jose Martinez fired a shot that the Willits keeper was able to stop and Fernandez just missed, according to Griffin.
The goal Fernandez did score was spectacular in its own right, according to Griffin, who said his star forward “faced” the ball past the keeper.
“He was just not going to be denied,” Griffin said.
Willits” coach received a red card before the end of the first half.
The two teams did not shake hands at game”s end to avoid further potential trouble.
Cloverdale 2, Middletown 1
At Middletown, Misael Lopez scored in the first minute to give the Middletown Mustangs the lead, but the Cloverdale Eagles came back to win in NCL I action.
Cloverdale tied the score on a direct kick 30 minutes into the first half and took the lead early in the second half.
“We did have quite a few opportunities, especially in the first half,” Middletown coach Luis Chairez said.
Middletown (0-5, 0-7) plays Clear Lake (0-5, 0-7) on Thursday in Middletown.
Girls” soccer
Kelseyville 1, Clear Lake 1 (tie)
At Kelseyville, Juliette Brown”s first goal of the season helped the Kelseyville Knights earn a tie with the Clear Lake Cardinals in NCL I girls” soccer action.
Brown, who started at center-mid for the Knights (0-4-1, 4-5-1), scored 25 minutes into the first half with an assist from Abby Wold. Clear Lake (3-1-1, 9-3-2) pulled even on a Hannah Norwood goal with three minutes left in the half.
Though it wasn”t a win for the Knights, coach Dave Wold said his players celebrated as if it were one following the game.
“My girls just played a tough and physical game ? I was in awe,” Wold said. “After four losses (to open league play) it was a big boost for us.”
Wold said he couldn”t single out any one of his players.
“They all played well, marked up like they should have and kept Clear Lake out of the net,” Wold said.
Volleyball
St. Helena def. Middletown
At Middletown, unable to hold an 18-12 lead in game four, the Middletown Mustangs went on to lose to the St. Helena Saints in a five-set thriller. St. Helena (3-0) rallied for a 25-20, 17-25, 17-25, 27-25, 15-10 win to take over sole possession of first place in the league standings.
“I thought we had it in game four, I really did,” Middletown coach Jennifer Breiner said. “We just have a young team and made a lot of little mistakes ? and the little things add up.”
Renee Edwards powered the Mustangs (2-1) with 16 kills, four blocks and four aces. Emily Lescher added eight kills, one block and three aces.
St. Helena won the JV match 25-19, 25-19.
Clear Lake def. Lower Lake
At Lakeport, Aliza Atkins pounded out eight kills to go along with 22 points and five aces as the Clear Lake Cardinals beat Lower Lake 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 in NCL I volleyball action.
“Aliza was just killing it,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said.
Kiana Richardson, a freshman, added five kills and blocked three shots for the Cardinals (2-1) while Logan Robinson added four kills and five digs.
Lower Lake fell to 1-2.
Clear Lake also won the junior varsity match match, 25-12, 28-30, 15-11, behind four kills from Corin Alakszay.
Upper Lake def. Tech
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars notched their first NCL II win, beating Technology High School 25-20, 25-14, 25-18.
Sierra Fugate led the way with four kills and four digs.
“Sierra Fugate played very well ? they all did,” Upper Lake coach Raelene Cromwell said.
The Cougars won despite having two starters out of the lineup because of illness.
Theresa Lopez added a team-best 10 aces along with two kills. LaShaye Taylor had eight kills, two aces and four digs.
Upper Lake”s JVs beat Roseland Collegiate Prep 25-15, 25-11 to improve to 9-0 on the season. Natalie Karlsson had 11 points, including five aces, and one kill. Briana Binns, the team”s libero, added eight points, five of them aces.
Kelseyville def. Fort Bragg
At Fort Bragg, the Kelseyville Knights started a bit on the slow side before picking up the pace and sweeping the Fort Bragg Timberwolves 25-18, 25-4, 25-13 in NCL I action.
Kelseyville”s JVs also picked up a win, 25-19, 25-23.
For the varsity, standouts were Kayla Zarate with six aces, Heidy Cano with eight kills, Mary McCallister with 16 digs and Riley Goff with 15 assists.
Kelseyville trailed 8-2 in the first set before rallying.
“We have to be more consistent,” Kelseyville coach Donelle McCallister said.
Kelseyville improved to 2-1 in league while Fort Bragg fell to 0-3.
