LAKEPORT — Chalk up another hat trick for Ulices Valencia on Thursday evening as the Clear Lake Cardinals knocked off the St. Helena Saints 3-1 in North Central League I boys soccer action at Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport.
Valencia scored all three of the Cardinals’ goals as Clear Lake improved to 3-4-1 in league play and 6-5-1 overall.
“We probably should have won 10-1, but I’m not complaining,” Clear Lake coach Shaun Hornby said. “The boys are finally getting it together and looking good.”
Valencia scored his first two goals in the first half to give Clear Lake a 2-0 lead. After St. Helena closed to 2-1 in the second half, Valencia struck again with 10 minutes to play to give the Cardinals some breathing room at 3-1.
“It was nice to get that one,” Hornby said.
“Valenica scored all three goals but it was a full team effort,” Hornby said.
Standouts for the Cardinals included Jesus Inostroza on defense and Nicholas Holmes in the midfield. Holmes assisted on one of Valencia’s goals and Brandon Jimenez assisted on another.
Clear Lake dropped a 12-5 decision to open its league schedule on Sept. 4 in St. Helena.
In other boys soccer action Thursday:
Fort Bragg 1, Middletown 0
At Fort Bragg, the Fort Bragg Timberwolves cooled off the Middletown Mustangs with a shutout victory on their home turf.
Middletown, now 2-5-1 in the NCL I standings, had gone 2-0-1 in its previous three league games.
No other game details were reported.
