UPPER LAKE — Minus two key starters, the Upper Lake Cougars dropped a 3-0 North Central League III decision to the Tomales Braves in girls soccer action on Monday afternoon in Tomales.
It was the first of three games on Upper Lake’s schedule this week and easily the most winnable although it didn’t turn out like that.
“I kind of wanted this game,” Upper Lake coach Daniella Santana said with an eye toward what awaits the Cougars later this week.
Upper Lake beat Tomales 4-2 on Sept. 17 in Upper Lake but the Cougars had both senior forward Katlyn Minnis and sophomore forward Hailey Reams in uniform for that first meeting. Minnis is away on a family vacation while Reams is out because of an injury.
The weather also was quite different for the rematch, according to Santana.
“It was rainy and cold,” she said.
Upper Lake also didn’t bring its A game to Marin County.
“We were a lot slower on the ball today and our touches weren’t very good,” Santana said.
Tomales led 1-0 at halftime.
Upper Lake, now 5-3 in league play and 6-7 overall, returns to action Wednesday at home against undefeated Technology of Rohnert Park. On Thursday, the Cougars travel to Santa Rosa to take on Roseland University Prep, another NCL III title contender.
