UPPER LAKE — Still missing a pair of key starters, the Upper Lake Cougars battled hard in a 7-1 loss to the undefeated Technology High School Titans of Rohnert Park in North Central League III girls soccer action on Wednesday afternoon in Upper Lake.
Technology (8-0 league, 10-0-1 overall) jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Upper Lake freshman Karlee Zimmerschied scored with an assist from teammate Vanessa Loans Arrows to make it a 2-1 game.
“I was really not expecting that result,” Upper Lake head coach Daniella Santana said. “I was expecting a major blowout. I was surprised we scored.”
Still minus Katlyn Minnis (family vacation) and Hailey Reams (injury), the Cougars (5-4, 6-8) gave it everything they had against the Titans, according to Santana.
“We had a much better effort today than we had on Monday (a 3-0 loss at Tomales),” Santana said.
Technology built a 4-1 halftime lead and continued adding to it in the second half.
Cheyanne Obedoza, who usually starts at keeper for the Cougars, played the entire first half as a center-defensive midfielder before moving to keeper in the second half. Freshman Lizzet Cruz drew the start at keeper.
“They both did a good job,” Santana said.
Upper Lake’s third game this week takes place Thursday against Roseland University Prep in Santa Rosa beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Minnis returns to the Upper Lake lineup next week, however, Minnis is unlikely to play again until the final week of the season, according to Santana.
