UPPER LAKE >> Despite losing 11-0 to the Willits Wolverines in a non-league varsity boys’ soccer game on Monday in Willits, Upper Lake High School soccer coach Kevin O’Brien said the Cougars are taking baby steps toward becoming a better team.
“We definitely created a few opportunities for ourselves (on offense),” O’Brien said. “We put some pressure on them. I’m seeing little glimmers of hope and spark.”
Playing with just a 12-man roster, which means only one reserve, the Cougars trailed the Wolverines 6-0 after the first half. Willits kept the pressure on in the second half and added five more goals.
“Jumir Perez did an outstanding job in goal even if the score doesn’t reflect it,” O’Brien said of his freshman keeper. “He made some nice stops.”
With three games on his schedule this week, O’Brien said it’s tough to correct things in practice.
“You’re off days are recovery days,” he said. “We are making marked improvement.”
Upper Lake hosts Stony Point Academy, a new member of the North Central League II, on Wednesday. On Friday, the Cougars are away at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa.
In other action Monday:
Girls’ soccer
M’town 3, RUP 1
At Middletown, Madison Ketchum sandwiched goals around a Aly Ferguson score as the Middletown Mustangs beat Roseland University Prep in non-league action.
All of the scoring took place in the first half. Middletown built a 2-0 lead on the strength of goals from Ketchum, assisted by Caitlin Lemoine, and an unassisted goal from Ferguson.
“It was a really good shot from the outside, top right corner,” Middletown coach Lamont Kucer said of Ferguson’s blast.
Roseland closed to 2-1 on a penalty kick before Ketchum, with an assist from Gracie Armstrong, scored later in the half to make it 3-1.
“The defense played really well,” Kucer said as the Mustangs improved to 2-3-1 on the season. “Some of the younger players stepped up.”
Middletown dropped a 2-1 non-league decision to host St. Bernard of Eureka on Saturday. Ferguson’s unassisted goal in the first half – a ricochet shot off the Crusaders keeper – tied the score at 1 in the first half.
St. Bernard pushed ahead to stay with a goal midway through the second half.
Alyssa Hart’s play on defense stood out for the Mustangs, according to Kucer.
“She played lights out,” Kucer said.
Middletown, the eight-time defending North Central League I champion, opens its league schedule at home today against Clear Lake at 5:30 p.m. The Mustangs travel to Lower Lake on Thursday for a 4 p.m. game.
Upper Lake 3, And. Valley 0
At Upper Lake, Rebecca Garner scored twice, both times with assists from Julia Mooney, and the Cougars defeated Anderson Valley in NCL II action.
Stephanie Macias scored another goal late in the first half to give the Cougars a 3-0 advantage.
Upper Lake keeper Jazlyn Bonilla recorded her second shutout of the season as the Cougars improved to 2-4 overall. Other standouts on defense were Chelsea Valdez and Katlyn Minnis, according to Upper Lake coach Mandy Robbins.
“They did a great job on a day when three of our starting defenders were out with injuries,” Robbins said.
Upper Lake’s offense kept the ball on Anderson Valley’s side of the field for a good part of the game and put pressure on the Panther defense.
“It was a good, even matchup with this team,” Robbins said.
Upper Lake fell 8-0 to defending league champion Sonoma Academy on Friday in Santa Rosa. The Coyotes had 38 shots on goal.
“Jazlyn stopped 30 of them,” Robbins said.
The Cougars host Roseland Collegiate Prep in a league game on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Clear Lake goes 3-2
At Arcata, Clear Lake advanced to the final four of the Arcata Tournament on Saturday after going 3-2 in match play.
The Cardinals defeated Mendocino 25-11, 25-6 before Fortuna outlasted the Cardinals for a 20-25, 25-15, 16-14 victory.
“It was a great match against a good Fortuna team,” Clear Lake coach Marci Psalmonds said.
Clear Lake rallied to beat Central Valley 25-4, 25-20 and Fort Bragg 17-25, 25-13, 15-9 before dropping its final match to West Valley 25-10, 27-25.
There was no All-Tournament team although Psalmonds said Valerie Hutton was Clear Lake’s MVP during the five matches.
“She had a great tournament,” Psalmonds said.
Hutton finished with 20 kills on only 36 arms swings and with just one hitting error. She also had 11 blocks and 11 aces.
Other Clear Lake standouts were Kiana Richardson with 36 kills and six aces; Camille Donald with 27 kills and 47 digs; libero Madi Ferguson with 57 digs and seven aces; and setter Kylie Udy with 78 assists and five aces.
“She averaged about seven assists a game, which is really good,” Psalmonds said of the sophomore Udy.
Clear Lake opens its league schedule tonight at home against Middletown. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m.
