MIDDLETOWN — His veterans struggling and back on their heels during the entire first half against the undefeated Technology Titans, Middletown High School head coach Lamont Kucer didn’t hesitate in making his move in the second half of a non-league girls soccer game Monday afternoon at Middletown.
Facing the team that eliminated them from last year’s North Coast Section playoffs, the Mustangs scored twice in the second half to earn a 2-2 tie with the Titans.
“We came out really, really flat,” Kucer said. “I don’t know if my veterans had a long weekend or what.”
Technology (8-0-1) dominated all aspects of the game in the first half while building a 2-0 lead, according to Kucer.
“They won ever 50-50 ball,” he said of the Titans.
Kucer had seen enough by halftime and decided to go young in the second half, substituting in many of his underclassmen from a deep and talented Middletown bench.
“I know a lot of coaches would hesitate to do that in a big game,” Kucer said. “But the energy of those younger players carried us.”
Sophomore Brie Alves finally got the Mustangs (12-2-2) on the board 15 minutes into the second half with an assist from Kassi Agapoff. It remained a 2-1 game almost until the end when sophomore Maddie Ferguson scored with an assist from freshman Harper Moreno.
“Moreno hit a hard shot off the goalie, it kicked out to the right and Maddie was in the perfect spot,” Kucer said. “She buried it into the back of the net.”
Added Kucer, “What we were doing in the first half wasn’t working. I put in those young legs and they made a huge difference. It really was a tale of two halves.”
It’s the second straight tie for the Mustangs, who battled St. Helena to a 0-0 draw in a North Central League I game on Thursday in St. Helena.
Middletown, 5-0-1 in league play, hosts Lower Lake on Tuesday as league play resumes. The Trojans are having their best season in years at 3-1-1 in league and 4-1-1 overall.
In other girls soccer action Monday:
Credo 7, Upper Lake 0
At Rohnert Park, the Upper Lake Cougars were shut out by Credo High School in NCL III action.
Upper Lake (4-2 league, 5-6 overall) has now dropped two straight in league play after a 4-0 start.
“Credo is a very good team,” Upper Lake coach Daniella Santana said.
The Gryphons led 4-0 at halftime.
Santana praised the play of Angel O’Sullivan.
Upper Lake is on the road Wednesday to play Calistoga at 4:30 p.m.
