The Mazama boys and girls soccer teams hosted Klamath Union in a Skyline Conference doubleheader Monday. Here’s how each game unfolded as well as a look at other games involving Basin teams.
Boys: Klamath Union 2, Mazama 0
Klamath Union (6-1-1, 2-1-0) dominated possession in the first half and took the lead in the 7th minute when junior Ryder Allen scored on an arcing shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Mazama (2-5-0, 0-3-0) gained a bit more of a foothold in the second half, but junior Omar Garcia’s 58th minute goal off a rebound ensured the Pelicans remained firmly in the driver’s seat. Klamath Union had six corner kicks, and Mazama had none.
“I feel like we played a great game, especially having a young team,” Mazama head coach Arnie Gutierrez said. “That’s a great team that we just went toe-to-toe with.”
The score likely would have been significantly more lopsided if not for several impressive saves by Vikings goalkeeper Moritz Herdt, a junior exchange student from Germany. Among other highlights, Herdt stopped a turnaround shot from the top of the penalty area and denied the Pelicans on multiple one-on-one opportunities.
“We’ve just got to finish when we have our chances,” Klamath Union head coach Trevor Petersen said. “We had plenty of chances that we missed.”
The shutout was the sixth of the season for the Pelicans, who have conceded two goals so far. It also matches their win total from last season, which was their most since 2012.
Mazama travels to No. 9 Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (4-5-0, 0-3-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Klamath Union hosts No. 4 Henley (7-1-1, 3-0-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Girls: Klamath Union 1, Mazama 0
Sophomore Kenzi Freid juked her way to the deciding goal in the 37th minute as No. 9 Klamath Union (6-1-1, 2-0-1) won a tightly contested match to take sole possession of second place in the Skyline Conference.
Junior goalkeeper Anyssa Jimenez made three crucial saves on Mazama (3-4-0, 1-2-0) free kicks in the 32nd, 54th and 68th minutes. The first two were from close range, while the last was from 41 yards out. Vikings goalkeeper Addison Garlock, also a junior, came up with several stops to keep her team in the game. The Pelicans had five corner kicks to the Vikings’ one.
“It was a really good game,” Mazama head coach Kelly Ruiz said. “[Jimenez] did really well. She showed her skills tonight…[Garlock] did really well. Even on the one goal that they scored, she was in line [and in] great position.”
“That was a great team [in] Mazama,” Klamath Union head coach Sean Ferns said. “It could have went either way…my girls held it out.”
Klamath Union has now recorded seven shutouts this season, conceding its only goals in a 2-0 loss to 5A Ashland Sept. 23. The Pelicans had seven shutouts in the entire 2023 season.
Klamath Union travels to No. 5 Henley (7-2-0, 3-0-0) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Mazama hosts No. 8 Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (4-3-1, 1-1-1) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Other games
Henley 4, Ashland 1 (Boys)
No. 4 Henley (7-1-1) went down 1-0 in the 10th minute but equalized off the foot of freshman Ruben Cobian Cazares four minutes later en route to its second win over a 5A opponent this season.
The Hornets took the lead in the 25th minute on a goal from senior Brian Leon, then put the game away with a five-minute double in the second half; junior Michael Ruelas scored in the 55th minute, and sophomore Kylan Weider scored in the 60th.
Henley’s four goals match the most Ashland (2-5-2) has conceded this year and were also assisted by four different players: sophomore Emilio Pena, Ruelas, sophomore Luke Balzotti and junior Layne Worrell.
“The team played well,” Henley head coach Lupe Gonzales said. “The defense played solid once we identified our marks. Offensively, we were able to score in different ways, so I was pleased with the options we created for ourselves.”
Henley resumes Skyline Conference play (where it sits 3-0-0) with a trip to Klamath Union (6-1-1, 2-1-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Ashland begins Midwestern League play against Thurston/Mohawk (3-5-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Henley 2, Ashland 0 (Girls)
Despite being outshot 8-7, No. 5 Henley (7-2-0) secured a road win over 5A Ashland (4-4-0) thanks to a pair of second-half goals.
Junior Lillian Poore scored on a pass from sophomore Prestyn Schade in the 42nd minute, and freshman Allie Janney scored on a corner kick from junior Brisi Flores in the 59th minute.
Freshman goalkeeper Saige White recorded her second straight 80-minute shutout and second of her high school career. Prior to the Hornets’ 2-0 win over Mazama Oct. 3, she had three shutouts in games that ended early due to the 8-goal mercy rule.
“Ashland is a very good team with great possession,” Henley head coach Mike Hedlund said. “We really stepped it up in the second half, pressuring them and forcing mistakes. It was a great all-around team effort.”
The Grizzlies had logged shutout wins over each of the other four Skyline Conference teams before facing the Hornets.
Henley returns to league play (where it sits 3-0-0) against No. 9 Klamath Union (6-1-1, 2-0-1) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ashland opens Midwestern League play against No. 8 Thurston (6-3-0, 0-0-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Coquille/Myrtle Point 1, Lost River/Bonanza 0 (Girls)
Lost River/Bonanza (2-5-1, 2-5-1) lost its fifth straight game as Coquille/Myrtle Point (3-4-2, 2-4-2) scored in the 25th minute.
It was the third consecutive shutout loss for the Raiders.
“We did some really good things,” Lost River/Bonanza head coach Richard DeJong said. “We had good passing, good communication and about 25 shots. [It was] just one of those games we couldn’t finish.”
Junior goalkeeper Karla Navarro made three saves.
Lost River/Bonanza travels to Douglas (4-5-0, 3-4-0) at 4 p.m. Friday. Coquille/Myrtle Point hosts North Valley (3-5-1, 2-4-1) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
