FORT JONES – On paper, the soccer match between the Weed Cougars and the Etna Lions looked like it should have been a blowout win for Weed. Weed, arguably the best team in the county this season, had knocked off Tulelake, Mt. Shasta and Butte Valley. Etna has one win.

Etna put their emphasis on defense in the first half, with three of their top four players at the defender position. The strategy worked for the first 24 minutes of the match, until Weed’s Jose Luquin blasted a shot through the hands of Etna’s goalkeeper. Luquin’s tally wound up being the only score of the match.

Etna shifted gears in the second half changing their alignment to a more offensive mode. About eight minutes into the second half, it looked like Etna’s strategy might backfire, when Omar Fernandez rang a shot off the post.

The Lions were able to generate offensive pressure in the second stanza, with their best opportunity coming with 17 minutes played. With the Cougar goalkeeper caught out of the net, Lion Juan Castaneda took a shot that appeared destined to find the back of the net. Cougar fullback Ruben Ducoing, however, had his keeper’s back and made the save with a diving header. Etna had other chances, as did the Cougars, but neither team managed to score the rest of the way, and Weed held on to win, 1-0.

Etna was only able to field 10 players for the match. Weed coach Mike Gilmore took Cougar co-captain Omar Fernandez’ suggestion to voluntarily play with 10 players, as well.

Weed (5-4) travels to Weaverville to face Trinity (3-7) on Thursday, October 2. Weed lost to Trinity 2-1 in its Shasta Cascade League opener. Weed has won four straight since the loss.

Etna (1-8) will go to Mt. Shasta (3-1) on Thursday, October 2. Mt. Shasta beat Etna earlier in the season 4-0.