LOWER LAKE — It’s Paul Krohn’s first go-around as a soccer coach, but there’s no arguing with the results.
The Lower Lake High School boys soccer team is off to a 2-0-1 start after opening the season by winning the second annual Tyler Duncan Memorial Tournament last weekend at Upper Lake High School. The Trojans defeated Kelseyville and Middletown before tying Clear Lake 1-1 in the championship game on Saturday as the three-day tournament concluded. The tie was broken based on total goals scored during the tournament, a number that favored Lower Lake.
Krohn said he was a soccer player during his younger days and an accomplished cyclist who used to compete in team triathlons — he handled the cycling portion and was on the winning team twice and the second-place team once at the Bass Lake Classic.
“We have no freshmen,” Krohn said of the Trojans’ 18-strong roster in 2019. “But we have some well-seasoned students (four seniors to go along with eight juniors and six sophomores).”
Team captains are Gilberto Orozco, Pedro Garriodo and Angelo Ortiz.
“They have a passion for the sport,” Krohn said.
The Trojans also have a passion for hard work, according to Krohn, who says his players often ask to do additional sets of drills during practices.
A former track coach at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, Krohn has since moved over to the Konocti Unified School District where he teaches math/science to eighth-graders at Lower Lake High School (Lower Lake High includes grades eight through 12).
“I know the game because I’ve played it, but I’m learning a lot about tactics,” he said.
His experienced team has been quite a blessing in that regard.
Lower Lake’s play on defense definitely stood out during the recent tournament in Upper Lake, according to Krohn. In the 1-1 tie with Clear Lake, the Trojans barely let Clear Lake’s offense move the ball across midfield.
“I want to commend Clear Lake on the defense it played, but we didn’t let them do much on offense,” Krohn said. “It was a tough game.”
The Trojans have a long break until their next game, which is Sept. 10 against Clear Lake at Lakeport, the North Central League I opener for both teams.
