ARCATA >> Middletown’s tough northern road swing ended with a 2-0 victory over McKinleyville on Saturday afternoon at the Arcata Sports Complex. Earlier in the day the Mustangs fell 3-1 to St. Bernard in Eureka.
On Friday, the Middletown girls soccer squad open its three-game trip with a 3-2 loss to Arcata.
Middletown, now 7-2 on the season, had some tired legs in the McKinleyville game, according to head coach Lamont Kucer.
“That was three games in 18 hours for us,” Kucer said. “We were tired, but we got through it.”
Middletown opened the season with six straight victories before running into a tough Arcata squad on Friday. The Mustangs lost a second straight game Saturday morning against St. Bernard, a team they defeated 2-1 earlier this month in tournament action at Upper Lake.
Kucer said the Crusaders made the most of their homefield advantage.
“The game started at 9 a.m., the field was wet and slippery,” Kucer said. “We’re not used to that and we had a hard time controlling the ball.”
St. Bernard scored three times in the first half. Middletown avoided a shutout when Sophie Kucer converted a free kick late in the second half.
In the win over McKinleyville, goals by Kucer in the first half and Julisa Garcia in the second half proved to be more than enough offense for the Mustangs. Kassi Agapoff and Ellie Bazzano each had an assist.
On Friday night against Arcata, the Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half and were up 3-0 before Kucer scored twice in the second half to make it close. Georgia Guerrero and Paige Astley assisted on her goals.
Kucer said the road swing against solid competition should make the Mustangs a tougher team as they enter North Central League I play on Tuesday at home against Fort Bragg. Middletown is the 10-time defending NCL I champion.
“You can’t get better by beating up on people,” Kucer said. “Sometimes you’ve got to take your licks. Losing makes you appreciate the winning you do.”
Middletown’s first two league games are at home where they’ve played only once this season. They also host Willits on Thursday.
