KELSEYVILLE — Even when there’s nothing at stake, Kelseyville versus Clear Lake in any sport means something to the athletes involved. And the bigger the stakes the higher the competitive level between these two longtime archrivals.
The Knights and Cardinals squared off for the second time this season in North Central League I boys soccer action on Tuesday at Kelseyville, both fighting for a possible berth in the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs. Kelseyville won 2-0 on a pair of Jesus Duarte goals, avenging a 3-1 loss to Clear Lake on Sept. 20 in Lakeport.
“They just played a little better this time,” Kelseyville head coach Eduardo Ledesma said of the rematch.
It was a scoreless game until late in the first half. Ledesma subbed in his “lucky charm,” Jc Chavez, and Duarte scored a short time later with an assist from Damian Ledesma. He scored again five minutes later, this time assisted by Luis Soto, to make it 2-0.
Ledesma said the Knights were able to effectively neutralize Clear Lake’s top scoring threat, Ulices Valencia, largely through the defense of Marcos Perez.
“He did an excellent job,” Ledesma said.
Both teams are fighting to reach the postseason, which means they both need at least a .500 record in league play or overall. Both are on the bubble heading into their final league game on Thursday. Kelseyville is now 5-6-2 in league play and 5-6-2 overall and needs a victory in St. Helena to become postseason eligible. Clear Lake is 4-6-3 in league and 7-7-3 overall going into Cloverdale.
“Kelseyville deserved to win it,” said Clear Lake coach Shaun Hornby, who was more concerned with the loss of team captain Nick Holmes in the first half.
According to Tipton, Holmes was fouled multiple times by the Knights, the last time on a hard hit that drew a yellow card and forced Holmes from the game with an injury.
“It should have been a red card,” Hornby said.
Hornby said he didn’t know if Holmes would be able to play against Cloverdale.
