FORT BRAGG — Sophomore Mariah Ketchum came through with two clutch second-half goals as the Middletown Mustangs turned back a strong challenge from the Fort Bragg Timberwolves to win 2-1 in a North Central League I girls soccer game Tuesday in Fort Bragg.

Fort Bragg scored the only goal of the first half and held its 1-0 lead until Ketchum scored her first goal midway through the second half with an assist from Harper Moreno. Ten minutes later Ketchum connected again with an assist from Ellary Isherwood to put the Mustangs in front to stay at 2-1.

"It was a very physical, draining game," Middletown head coach Ashley Hart said of the second meeting between the two teams this season.

"She kept charging forward," Hart said of Ketchum.

Hart also praised the play of her defense, which shut down the Timberwolves after they scored their lone goal midway through the first half.

A scheduling mix-up had the girls playing the late game instead of the boys, according to Hart.

Middletown shut out Fort Bragg 6-0 in the league opener for both teams on Aug. 24 in Middletown.

The Mustangs have a bye Thursday and return home Tuesday to play St. Helena in a key NCL I match as both teams need a victory to stay close to undefeated RUP atop the league standings. Middletown defeated St. Helena 3-2 on Sept. 2 in St. Helena.

In other girls soccer action Tuesday:

Lower Lake 2, Kelseyville 2 (tie)

At Lower Lake, Margarita Cordova scored twice in the second half, the final time with 15 minutes left in the game, as the Lower Lake Trojans rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the Kelseyville Knights in NCL I action.

Both of Cordova's goals came on free kicks.

Lower Lake keeper Jasmine Calderon also figured prominently in the match as she stopped six shots, according to head coach Ana Duran.

"She was an all-star," Duran said of Calderon, one of the Trojans' captains — Cordova is another.

Among the other Lower Lake standouts were midfielder Esmerelda Lopez and defender Maria Perez, according to Duran.

Kelseyville scored the only goal of the first half and the first goal of the second half.

Both teams are home Thursday – Lower Lake against Cloverdale and Kelseyville against Fort Bragg.