ARCATA >> Sophie Kucer scored twice during a three-minute span in the second half but Middletown couldn’t quite catch the Arcata Tigers in a 3-2 non-league girls soccer loss on Friday evening in Arcata, the Mustangs’ first setback of the season.
“If we see them again in the playoffs we’ll be prepared,” said Middletown coach Lamont Kucer, who correctly predicted earlier this year that Arcata represented one of the Mustangs’ biggest challenges this season.
“They are a veteran team and pass the ball better than any team we’ve seen this season,” Kucer said. “Our defense was definitely challenged.”
Middletown (6-1) fell behind 3-0, including a 2-0 deficit after one half, before rallying in the second half.
“They had us kind of back on our heels in the first half,” Kucer said.
Middletown shifted into attack mode in the second half, stealing momentum away from Arcata. Kucer scored 19 minutes into the half and again three minutes later to cut the Tigers’ lead to 3-2. Georgia Guerrero and Paige Astley each had an assist.
“We had a lot of opportunities (to tie it),” Kucer said. “We just couldn’t get the ball to go in.”
Middletown had 22 shots on goal during the game. Kucer, a sophomore midfielder, had 12 all by herself.
Middletown’s defense was pressured throughout the game but held up well, largely because of the play of defenders Astley, Kelsey Lemoine, Alyssa Hart and Abby Sabateer, and keeper Leslie Chairez, who was filling in for starter Hanna Moore.
“They played well and were aggressive,” Kucer said of his four defenders. “They kept them (Tigers) from doing more damage.”
So did Chairez, according to Kucer. She had 11 saves, the most dramatic of which was a dive to her right to block a penalty kick.
“She really worked hard out there,” Kucer said.
Middletown’s northern road swing continues Saturday with a 9 a.m. contest against St. Bernard and a 2 p.m. game against McKinleyville. The Mustangs return home Tuesday to open their North Central League I schedule against Fort Bragg at 5:30 p.m.
