FORT BRAGG — Airtight defense and Ashton Fiske’s penalty kick early in the first half carried the Clear Lake Cardinals to their second straight win of the season, a 1-0 North Central League I girls soccer victory over the Fort Bragg Timberwolves on Tuesday afternoon in Fort Bragg.
“It was a shot right through the goalies arms above her head,” Clear Lake head coach Derick Fiske said. “It was a beautiful shot.”
It also turned out to be the game-winning shot as the Cardinals couldn’t convert any of their other opportunities, of which they had many, especially in a first half spent almost entirely on Fort Bragg’s side of the field.
“It’s hard to believe we ended up with just the one goal, but it was enough,” Fiske said.
And it was enough largely because of the collective efforts of Clear Lake’s defensive line, which includes Nancy Ruzicka, Anyssa Perez, Brianna Knight and Bella Hayes.
“I couldn’t have been prouder of them,” Fiske said.
The play of midfielders Ashton Fiske and Ashley Pyorre was another key to the victory.
“Our seniors did a good job keeping control out there,” Fiske said.
Clear Lake is 1-0 in league and 2-3-2 overall. The Cardinals are home Thursday against Willits at 4 p.m.
