UPPER LAKE >> Upper Lake’s Tori Baca scored the first goal of her high school career on Wednesday afternoon as the Cougars fell 4-2 to Tomales in a North Central League II girls’ soccer game that left the home team with a few bumps and bruises.
“It was a very physical game,” Upper Lake coach Mandy Robbins said.
With only one day’s rest since their 7-1 win over Anderson Valley on Monday, the Cougars also were a bit winded down the stretch although they stayed close to the Braves throughout.
Baca, a freshman, collected a loose ball in front of the net and punched it in to give Upper Lake an early 1-0 lead in the first half.
“She was able to kick it right in,” Robbins said.
Tomales took a 2-1 lead into halftime but a goal by Kaitlyn Minnis, assisted by Chelsie Valdez, pulled the Cougars even at 2 just three minutes into the second half. It remained a 2-2 game until the Braves scored in the 53rd minute to go up 3-2.
Upper Lake keeper Jazlyn Bonilla turned back several strong shots by Tomales to keep the Cougars in range, according to Robbins.
Upper Lake returns to action today in Calistoga at 4:30 p.m.
