South Fork Boys’ Soccer 1-4 Over Last 2 weeks

Sophomore Midfielder Jayden Paine prepares receive the ball at Ferndale on Wednesday [Photo by Crystal Salomon]

Against Del Norte, head coach Kelly Paine felt the Cubs played well, but were simply overmatched by the school with four times the enrollment of South Fork. Sophomore Jayden Paine scored the Cubs’ only goal.

Against Willits on Homecoming day, Paine felt the team played well, but could not score.

Despite getting the win at Potter Valley, Paine said, “That was the worst game we’ve played all season.” Taking the coed Potter Valley team a little too lightly caused South Fork to play poorly, even though they jumped out to a 1-0 lead within 7 seconds of the opening whistle. Junior forward Carlos Garcia scored on an assist from Jayden Paine. Paine scored the other two goals unassisted, and leads the team in scoring with five.

At Ferndale last Wednesday, the Cubs possessed the ball about 75% of the time, but could not score against a tightly packed-in Ferndale defense. South Fork took dozens of shots but could not find the seams in the Wildcat shiled around the goal. Ferndale got its only goal on a PK. South Fork missed a PK.

Junior Forward Carlos Garcia faced up against his opponent last Wednesday in Ferndale {photo by Crystal Salomon]

On Friday at St. Bernard’s the home side jumped ahead by two goals in the first half on the slippery wet field. “Their goals were caused by a couple hiccups,” said Coach Paine. “We outplayed them for much of the game.”

In the second half, the Cubs came back to score 3 goals. Jayden Paine scored on a direct free kick, and got another unassisted goal. Sophomore Banyan Harding got South Fork’s 3rd goal on an unassisted breakaway.

Paine is pleased overall with the team’s progress “We improve every game, progress is being made and we are having fun.” He says his defense works very well together, and Gerardo Lopez and Graham McConnell continue to be consistent forces on the back line.

Jayden Paine leads the team in goals with 5, and freshman Cameron Messenger is stepping up to be a stronger presence in the midfield.

The Cubs are now 2-8 overall and 2-1 against small schools, keeping them in good shape for a post-season berth in the North Coast Section championship tournament.

This week the Cubs will host McKinleyville at 5 on Wednesday, and hen will host Eureka at 11 on Saturday.