UPPER LAKE — Off for more than a month because of scheduling changes and COVID-19 delays among its opponents, the Upper Lake High School boys soccer team finally returned to the pitch to beat Mendocino 3-1 in the North Central League II opener for both teams Wednesday afternoon in Upper Lake.

It also was the first win of the season for the Cougars (1-4-1) and first-year head coach Thomas Santana, who watched his squad build a 3-0 halftime lead on the strength of goals by Caleb Carrier in the fifth minute, assisted by Sammy Avalos; Kai Young in the 14th minute, assisted by Erick Espinoza; and Manuel Villalobos in the 40th minute on a penalty kick.

"We played great," Santana said. "The defense was great and we passed really well the whole time. It was our best passing game of the season."

Mendocino didn't score until early in the second half against Upper Lake's reserves.

The Cougars were elated to finally crack the win column, according to Santana, especially with the long layoff between games.

Standouts for the Cougars included Villalobos and Avalos, both center/defensive midfielders, and attacking midfielder Carrier.

The Cougars return to action Friday in a non-league home game against Clear Lake at 5:45 p.m., part of Upper Lake's homecoming week. It's the third meeting between the two teams this season. They tied in the first game and Clear Lake won the second game.