UPPER LAKE — Unanswered goals by Chelsea Hermoso, Karlee Zimmerschied and Katlyn Minnis in the second half rallied the Upper Lake Cougars to a 4-2 girls soccer win over the Tomales Braves in North Central League III action on Monday afternoon in Upper Lake.
Tomales led 2-1 after the first half, the Cougars (4-0 league, 5-4 overall) limited to a single goal by Minnis.
“In the first half we played flat and didn’t run to the ball, didn’t pass it off quick enough,” Upper Lake coach Daniella Santana said.
That all changed in the second half. Hermoso’s goal just minutes into the half tied the game at 2-all and Zimmerschied, a freshman, rocketed a shot past the Tomales keeper a few minutes later to put Upper Lake ahead to stay at 3-2. Minnis scored later in the half to give the Cougars a little bit of breathing room.
“The midfield played better, the defense played better in the second half,” Santana said.
Santana praised the play of Hermoso, Minnis and Harmony Bird.
“She was able to body off every single (Tomales) girl off the ball,” Santana said. “She sparked the offense in the second half.”
Minnis also picked up her game in the second half.
“She’s our fearless leader and once she gets going, it gets the team going,” Santana said.
Byrd’s stellar play on defense in the second half was another key to the win, according to Santana.
“She really stepped it up,” Santana said.
Minnis and Angel O’Sullivan had assists for the Cougars, who return to action Wednesday against Anderson Valley in Boonville. Upper Lake’s next home game is Monday against Credo, one of the top teams in the league, according to Santana.
