POTTER VALLEY >> The Upper Lake Cougars had to be patient on Friday night, but their patience paid off as they scored two goals in the second half to beat the Potter Valley Bearcats 2-0 in North Central League III boys soccer action at Potter Valley High School.
Jason Martinez scored both goals for the Cougars, now 3-1 in the NCL III standings and 3-9 overall.
“We had lots of opportunities in the first half that we didn’t capitalize on,” Upper Lake coach Kevin O’Brien said. “It was a very hard fought battle by both teams, very stressful for the coach.”
Upper Lake finally broke through at the midway point of the second half when Martinez took a pass from Bailee Byrd and headed the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later Martinez struck again. After taking a pass from Josh Williams, Martinez beat two Potter Valley defenders to go one-on-one with the keeper.
“And he beat the keeper too,” O’Brien said.
Strong play from Eduardo Mendoza at center back and from keeper Christian Jackson preserved the shutout, according to O’Brien.
“He made a couple of outstanding saves,” O’Brien said of Jackson, who is a freshman. “One of them came right out of nowhere to save a goal.”
O’Brien said the Cougars enjoyed playing under the Potter Valley lights even though field conditions were marginal.
“It wasn’t the best pitch we’ve ever played on,” O’Brien said. “But it’s always fun to get underneath the lights, especially when you can get that W,” he said.
Upper Lake hosts Geyserville on Monday at 4 p.m. The Cougars remain home Wednesday to take on Mendocino.
