LAKEPORT — Just seconds away from its first North Central League I win of the season, the Clear Lake High School co-ed soccer team watched a 2-1 lead disappear into the net as Eric Rodriguez of Willits scored to earn the Wolverines a 2-2 tie in boys soccer action at Lakeport.

"Any other time to tie 2-2 we would be happy, especially the way our season has gone," Clear Lake co-head coach Kevin O'Brien said. "But to have it (a win) right there, then it's gone, it hurts."

Clear Lake's Orel Gosman sets up for a shot on goal against Willits. Gosman scored both of the Cardinals' goals as they tied the Willits Wolverines 2-2. (Brian Sumpter/Record-Bee)

Clear Lake, now 0-5-2 in the league standings, trailed 1-0 at halftime but went on to take a 2-1 lead on the strength of two goals by Orel Gosman in the second half, including a penalty kick that put the Cardinals in front with approximately 15 minutes left to play.

"We held on and played really well, but it was that one little lapse at the end," O'Brien said. "They (Wolverines) brought it on an attack and one guy took it in and had a clean shot. It was the 79th minute and like 58 seconds."

Though the Cardinals were disappointed with the outcome given how the game ended, O'Brien said his squad turned in a commendable effort.

"We did play a really good game and it was a huge improvement for us. We walked away feeling a little sad, but we're trying," O'Brien added.

Raul Reyes of Clear Lake looks on as a Willits player tumbles to the turf during action in the first half.

The Cardinals have the only co-ed team in the NCL I. Neither the Clear Lake boys or girls had enough players to field separate teams in late August when league play opened. Given the option of canceling the seasons for both teams or combining the boys and girls to compete as a co-ed squad against other boys teams in the NCL I, the Cardinals chose the latter.

Besides Gosman's two-goal game, the Cardinals received solid play from center/back Peyton Ewing, midfielder Nick Williamson and defender Anyssa Perez, according to O'Brien.

"He's super steady and we rely on him a lot on the back line," O'Brien said of Ewing. "Nick played really aggressively and had a good game. Anyssa also did a good job for us."

Asthon Fiske of Clear Lake prepares to pass the ball near the sideline as teammate Miles Mattina looks on.

The Cardinals travel to St. Helena on Thursday for a league game and play Upper Lake in non-league action Friday in Upper Lake.

In other boys soccer action Tuesday:

Lower Lake 3, Kelseyville 2

At Lower Lake, the Lower Lake Trojans made a 3-0 halftime lead stand up in beating the Kelseyville Knights in a NCL I match where brotherly love was in short supply.

"It got pretty physical," Lower Lake head coach Michael McMurtrey said.

Both of Kelseyville's second-half goals were the result of penalty kicks. Lower Lake's third goal and what proved to be the game-winning goal, by Leo Brown, also came on a penalty kick.

Diego Orozco scored the Trojans' first goal 10 minutes into the game. Justin Santana's goal at the 25-minute mark made it 2-0. Brown's penalty kick right before halftime pushed Lower Lake's lead to 3-0.

"That second half, they had the ball on our side of the field a lot," McMurtrey said of the Knights.

Lower Lake keeper Dalton Partridge turned back a number of Kelseyville shots down the stretch.

It was the Trojans' second league win this season.

"It sure feels good," McMurtrey said. "The boys played good and tough. I'm glad these kids got a win."

Kelseyville scoring was not reported.

Both teams return to action Thursday when Lower Lake hosts Cloverdale and Kelseyville hosts Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg 2, Middletown 0

At Fort Bragg, it was a tough day for the Middletown boys soccer team as the Mustangs were shut out by the Fort Bragg Timberwolves, a team they beat 3-1 to open NCL I play back in late August in Middletown.

The Mustangs (5-3-1, 7-4-1) were expecting to play in the late game with the Middletown-Fort Bragg girls going first, but the games were switched, catching the Mustangs a bit off-guard.

"No excuses," Middletown head coach Roxi Hoogendoorn said. "We were just not in the right mindset today."

Fort Bragg took a 2-0 lead in the first half, scoring on a rebound off a free kick to go up 1-0, then on a header.

"We weren't focused," Middletown keeper Adrian Backus said of the team's lethargic play.

Middletown struggled against the Fort Bragg defense, getting off only a handful of shots on goals.

"Four or five," Hoogendoorn said.

Middletown has a bye Thursday and is home next Tuesday to take on St. Helena.