WILLITS — It wasn’t a win but it also wasn’t a 2-0 loss, which was the final score the last time the Upper Lake High School boys soccer team met up with the Willits Wolverines.
In the rematch on Monday at Willits High School, Upper Lake and Willits battled to a 0-0 draw even though the visiting Cougars (2-4-1) thoroughly controlled the midfield and dominated play in the first half. Upper Lake also failed to capitalize on a couple of prime scoring opportunities in the final minutes of the match.
“Other than not finishing we played a great game,” Upper Lake head coach Thomas Santana said. “I think we’re growing as a team every game and getting better. We’ve just got to learn to finish in close games.”
Upper Lake’s Xavier Snow, who scored the Cougars’ goal in a 1-0 non-league win over Clear Lake on Friday, had a one-on-one opportunity against the Willits keeper with 10 minutes remaining but pulled his shot just enough to allow the keeper to make the save.
And with only two minutes remaining, Nicholas Barnes nearly headed the ball into the net on a corner kick, but the Willits keeper knocked it away at the last second, preserving the scoreless shutout.
Upper Lake keeper Johnny Gozony also kept the Wolverines off the scoreboard with help up front from the likes of Barnes and Jonathan Pulido, according to Santana.
On offense, Sammy Avalos created a number of scoring opportunities that the Cougars couldn’t take advantage of, according to Santana.
“He’s our attacker and he makes plays,” Santana said.
Willits’ first meeting with Upper Lake resulted in a 2-0 win earlier this month during the Tyler Duncan Memorial at Upper Lake High School.
Upper Lake returns to action Friday against Eureka at 3 p.m. in the opening round of the McKinleyville Tournament, which runs through Saturday.
