UPPER LAKE — Vanessa Lopez-Becerra scored just 43 seconds into the game, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance by the undefeated Upper Lake High School girls soccer team in a 7-0 non-league victory over the Willits Wolverines on Monday night in Upper Lake.
“I told them to stop stressing me out with slow starts,” Upper Lake head coach Daniella Santana said.
Lopez-Becerra certainly did her part, scoring each of the Cougars’ first two goals and assisting on a Nya Marcks goal as the Cougars build a 3-0 halftime lead. Maddy Young and Tristin Rhodes assisted on Lopez-Becerra’a goals.
The Cougars (8-0) started quickly in the second half as well as Jayme Zimmerschied scored just three minutes into the half to make it 4-0, Lopez-Becerra collecting her second assist of the game.
Ashlyn Rhodes scored the next two Upper Lake goals as the Cougars moved in front 6-0, Tristin Rhodes and Young picking up the assists.
Marissa Russio’s goal, assisted by Tristin Rhodes, rounded out the scoring.
Santana was able to empty her bench early in the game.
“All of our reserves had lots of playing time,” Santana said as the Cougars took advantage of a Willits team that was minus its top player.
Lopez-Becerra’s performance clearly stood out for the Cougars, according to Santana.
“Vanessa definitely had a great game,” said Santana, who also praised the play of Tristin Rhodes and defender/midfielder Tatum Salas.
Upper Lake travels to Tomales for a North Central League II game on Wednesday and remains on the road Friday to take on defending league champion Credo.
In boys soccer action Monday:
Upper Lake 5, Willits 1
At Upper Lake, playing for the third time this season, the Upper Lake Cougars finally got their offense rolling against the Willits Wolverines in non-league action.
Willits’ defense shut out Upper Lake (3-8) in two previous meetings, winning 2-0 during the Tyler Duncan Memorial Tournament in mid-August at Upper Lake, then battling the Cougars to a 0-0 draw Aug. 29 in non-league action at Willits.
What was the difference this time?
“Erick Espinoza is back with us,” Upper Lake head coach Thomas Santana said. “He was a first-team All-League player for us last season and he bolstered our defense. He really made it so that we could spread out the field with our other players.”
Upper Lake opened up a 2-0 halftime lead on a Manny Villalobos penalty kick and an Angel Serafin goal assisted by Sammy Avalos. Willits closed to 2-1 early in the second half before Jaden Nunez scored back-to-back goals to give the Cougars a healthy 4-1 cushion. Villalobos and Avalos assists on his goals. The Cougars added one last insurance goal in the closing minutes when Avalos scored with an assist by Villalobos.
Santana praised the play of Espinoza, Villalobos, Nunez and Avalos.
