Nearly every Basin high school soccer team was in action over the first two days of this week. Here’s how their matchups unfolded.
Monday
No. 5 Henley 1, Mazama 0 (Girls)
Mike Hedlund’s halftime adjustments worked perfectly.
With No. 5 Henley (11-2-0, 7-0-0 Skyline Conference) in a scoreless tie with Mazama (5-5-0, 3-3-0) after 40 minutes despite having a massive advantage in possession and scoring chances, Hedlund told his team to create better shots by moving the ball more in the penalty area.
“A lot of our shots in the first half just went right to the goalie,” Hedlund said. “We just needed to concentrate on not focusing on their goalie and trying to pass it back.”
Nine minutes into the second half, sophomore Sarah Edwards received a pass in front of goal from classmate Prestyn Schade and fired it into the top of the net to give the visitors the lead. It would prove to be the deciding goal in a win that secured back-to-back Skyline Conference championships for Henley.
“I’m really glad I’m able to play with this team, because we’ve all worked really hard…I’m really thankful,” Edwards said.
The league championship is the eighth in program history for the Hornets, who ended an eight-year drought with last year’s title. It’s the second time Henley has won the Skyline Conference outright in consecutive years, previously doing so in 1995 and 1996 with current Hornets boys head coach Lupe Gonzales at the helm. Henley won three league championships in a row from 2012-2014 but shared the top spot with Klamath Union in 2013.
“It’s a grind, especially with the rivalry games like this,” Hedlund said. “The girls know how each other play because they play each other in the spring, and it’s just always a tough game.”
The win was Henley’s 11th of the season, the most since the 2011 Hornets went 14-4-0 with a 4A quarterfinal appearance.
Henley had eight corner kicks to Mazama’s one, including six in the first half.
Mazama travels to No. 8 Klamath Union (8-2-1, 4-1-1) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Henley concludes the regular season at Klamath Union at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
No. 4 Henley 8, Mazama 0 (Boys)
It was a short senior night game for No. 4 Henley (9-2-2, 5-1-1 Skyline Conference), as the Hornets triggered the mercy rule in the 51st minute against Mazama (2-8-0, 0-6-0).
“I was pleased that the younger boys gave great effort for their senior teammates,” Henley head coach Lupe Gonzales said.
Senior Max Tobiasson and juniors Michael Ruelas and Layne Worrell each recorded a brace, while seniors Joel Cruz-Meza and Jayce Powers moved up from the JV team and scored their first varsity goals. Sophomore Emilio Pena (3), seniors Brian Leon (2) and Jesus Flores (2) and sophomore Luke Balzotti were credited with assists.
“It was special to watch the team play united and for their teammates,” Gonzales said. “I was proud of them.”
Mazama travels to No. 5 Klamath Union (8-1-2, 4-1-1) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Henley hosts Klamath Union at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29.
No. 5 Klamath Union 1, No. 9 Phoenix 1 (Boys)
No. 5 Klamath Union (8-1-2, 4-1-1 Skyline Conference) took a 1-0 lead a few minutes into the game, but No. 9 Phoenix (7-2-3, 4-2-1) salvaged a draw with an equalizer late in the second half.
Senior Jose Garcia scored the Pelicans’ lone goal on a breakaway after receiving a pass from junior Caleb Morton. Sophomore goalkeeper Emanuel Garcia made several full-extension saves after the Pirates tied the game to deny the home team a last-gasp winner.
Both teams play at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Klamath Union hosts Mazama (2-8-0, 0-6-0), while Phoenix travels to Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (5-6-1, 1-4-1).
No. 8 Klamath Union 2, Phoenix 0 (Girls)
Senior Marley Ogao scored in the 12th and 64th minutes as No. 8 Klamath Union (8-2-1, 4-1-1 Skyline Conference) completed a season sweep of Phoenix (2-10-1, 0-7-0) at home.
“We held great possession through the whole game,” Klamath Union head coach Sean Ferns said. “Good passing with so many opportunities to shoot in goal.”
Junior goalkeeper Anyssa Jimenez made two saves to log her eighth shutout of the season. The Pelicans have conceded four goals this year, the fewest of any 4A team (5A Ashland was responsible for two of them).
This is the first time Klamath Union has reached eight wins since 2014. That year, the Pelicans finished 9-7-0 with a 4A playoff appearance.
“I’ve got so many young leaders developing on this team that are doing such an amazing job,” Ferns said. “The girls have worked so hard, and the hard work is paying off.”
Klamath Union hosts Mazama (5-5-0, 3-3-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Phoenix hosts Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (4-6-1, 1-4-1) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Tuesday
No. 1 Tulelake 3, No. 8 Trinity 0
Top-seeded Tulelake (18-4-0) opened the CIF Northern Section playoffs with its fourth win over No. 8 seed Trinity (9-13-1) this season.
Second-half goals from freshman Alex Garcia (2) and senior Anthony Loza booked the Honkers a trip to the semifinals. Senior Melvyn Flores, junior Anthony Alcala and freshman Ricardo Covarrubias recorded assists. Junior Ivan Jaime made three saves in goal.
“The game went as we planned it,” Tulelake head coach Miguel Navarro said. “Trinity was going to park the bus…We needed one goal in order to break their lines and make them play.”
Tulelake hosts No. 4 seed Paradise Adventist Academy at 3 p.m. Thursday with a chance to secure its ninth straight section championship game appearance.
Cascade Christian 1, Lost River/Bonanza 0 (Boys)
Lost River/Bonanza (5-6-1, 4-4-0 3A/2A/1A Special District 5) concluded its season on the road with a fourth straight loss.
Cascade Christian travels to Lakeview/Paisley Charter (0-9-0, 0-7-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday.