WILLITS >> With only 12 players in uniform, the Upper Lake High School girls soccer team found itself at an extra disadvantage Tuesday afternoon against the Willits Wolverines in a non-league game at Willits.
“We were missing some people and had only one sub,” Upper Lake coach Daniella Santana said of the Cougars’ 4-0 loss to the Wolverines. “Some of our players are getting ready for the fair (they have animals to show).”
The Lake County Fair opens Thursday and runs through Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
Not having enough fresh legs to replace the starters was only one of the problems, according to Santana.
“We didn’t play very well,” she said. “We were not playing like a team today.”
Willits led 1-0 after the first half.
“Two of the goals we allowed were penalty kicks,” Santana added.
A physical Willits squad limited Upper Lake to seven shots on goal.
Among the brights sports for Upper Lake were the play of defenders Harmony Byrd, Mallory Henry and Hailey Reams, according to Santana.
Upper Lake returns home Wednesday to host Anderson Valley in a non-league game that begins at 5:30 p.m. on the school’s practice field. The stadium field is currently in an unplayable condition.
