MIDDLETOWN >> The North Coast Section Division III defending champions couldn’t slow down the undefeated Middletown Mustangs on Monday evening in Middletown. It wasn’t even close.
Ellie Bazzano tallied Middletown’s first two goals, including the only one scored in the first half, and Sophie Kucer picked up a hat trick in the second half as the Mustangs overwhelmed St. Vincent 5-0 in a non-league girls soccer game at Middletown High School.
“Our team speed was so much better than theirs,” Middletown coach Lamont Kucer said. “It’s the best we’ve passed the ball, we moved it very well. We wore them out in the second half.”
Blessed with a deep bench this season, Kucer said the Mustangs substituted often to keep their starters fresh, something St. Vincent couldn’t do.
Bazzano scored 10 minutes into the second half to give the Mustangs (6-0) a 2-0 lead, then Kucer took control of the game with a three-goal barrage during a seven-minute span to put it out of reach. Two of the sophomore’s goals came off her right foot, the final one off her left. Two settled into the net above the keeper’s head and below the crossbar.
Maddie Ferguson had two of the Mustangs’ three assists while Bri Alves had the other.
In logging its fifth shutout in six games this season, Middletown smothered St. Vincent in the midfield where Kassi Agapoff turned back the Petaluma team time and time again.
“She’s like a wall back there,” Kucer said. “If it does happen to get by her, we have four strong defenders to back her up.”
Middletown’s defense has allowed just one goal this season, that to St. Bernard in a tournament game last week in Upper Lake. Overall the Mustangs have outscored their first six opponents 24-1 and the offensive contributions have come from a host of players, including the senior Bazzano.
“She’s small, but she’s fast, strong and not afraid of contact,” Kucer said. “She goes so hard.”
Middletown is preparing for a big northern road swing beginning Friday at Arcata.
“That will probably be our toughest game of the year,” Kucer said.
The Mustangs also play St. Bernard and McKinleyville on Saturday.
In other sports action Monday:
Volleyball
Upper Lake def. Tech
At Rohnert Park, the Upper Lake High School varsity volleyball team won its first match of the season, beating the Technology Titans 25-10, 16-25, 25-15, 25-23 in North Central League II play.
Upper Lake, now 1-2 in league play, won without middle hitter Alicia Pena, who is likely out for the season with a back injury.
“She was doing really well,” Cromwell said of the senior. “She’s out for at least six weeks. I feel really bad for her.”
In the win over Tech, Seneca Snow contributed six kills, seven aces and 14 digs, Madison Brackett had four aces, and Alana Sanchez added four kills, three blocks and two aces.
“It’s the first time we finally started talking and bringing things together,” Cromwell said.
There was no junior varsity match.
Upper Lake returns to action Thursday against Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa. JV action starts at 5 p.m.
