Folsom’s two goals lead Mitchell rally in opener

NEW PORT RICHEY — For a good portion of Mitchell’s match against  Ridgewood on Tuesday, the defending Class 4A champion had its back  against the wall.

A couple early blunders put Mitchell in the hole, but in the final minutes a goal from Will Scott  ignited a comeback, and two goals from Codi Folsom  helped lift the Mustangs to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Rams  at Ram Booster Stadium.

“This is a good way to start off the season,” Mitchell coach Oscar Ubillus said. “The main thing I ask these guys is I’m not expecting them to pick up from where we left off from last season. I just expect them to get better with every game.”

Ridgewood  took the early  advantage off a Travis Lord penalty kick in the 11th minute. Less  than three minutes later Mitchell  had its own penalty opportunity, but Brendan Ross’ kick was  knocked away by Rams keeper Corbyn Cochran (six saves). Mitchell  tied the game  off a Folsom goal in the 26th minute.

In the 50th minute, the Rams  took the lead again on a loose ball in the box  knocked in by senior Sergio Velasquez. But in the final 10  minutes of play, Mitchell began  to claw its  way back on a goal by Scott with 5:28 left.  Folsom  scored the clincher in stoppage time on a  pass from Mihaylo Petrovich.

“I have a great knack for the ball and when I turned my head, there was the ball and I knocked it in,” Folsom said.
 

Teams in post

• Mitchell High School
• Ridgewood High School