There are bounce-back wins, and then there’s what No. 4 Henley (8-2-1, 4-1-0 Skyline Conference) did Monday.
After suffering a 2-1 loss at No. 6 Klamath Union Oct. 10–their first against the Pelicans since 2013–the Hornets found themselves in a three-way tie atop the Skyline Conference standings with KU and Phoenix (6-2-2, 3-2-0), the latter of which they hosted Monday. A loss to the Pirates, who came into the game ranked No. 8 in the OSAA 4A computer rankings, would have put a fourth straight league title in serious jeopardy.
Henley dominated the game from the opening kick, but it wasn’t truly reflected on the scoreboard until the Hornets bagged five goals in 13 minutes to turn a 1-0 lead into a 6-1 victory. Phoenix had allowed a total of six goals in its first nine games.
“Sometimes we need a wake-up call, and we had it last week, so we needed to step up today,” Henley head coach Lupe Gonzales said. “The awesome thing about it is there were six different scorers. It was just team ball. I loved it.”
Senior Brian Leon opened the scoring in the 21st minute, evading a defender in the penalty area for his fourth goal of the season. Despite the Hornets creating several other close-range chances, it would be the team’s only goal of the first half.
Henley struck twice in the 58th minute, with sophomore Kylan Weider curling a shot into the top left corner from the right side of the box (his second goal of the season) before junior Layne Worrell–the reigning Skyline Conference Player of the Year–got the ball on the left side of the box, powered past his marker and snuck it in at the near post, giving him a team-high 10 goals on the season.
The Hornets didn’t let up. In the 69th minute, sophomore Diego Ramirez was awarded a free kick to the right of the penalty area. Seeing the near post open, he placed his shot there and scored his first goal of the season. Ramirez wasn’t the only one to open his account for the campaign; two minutes later, senior Max Tobiasson found the back of the net on a rocket from the top of the box.
Sophomore Luke Balzotti rounded out the scoring for Henley in the 74th minute, getting around the goalkeeper for his third tally of the year (Balzotti also scored on a free kick against Klamath Union, making this his second straight game on the score sheet). Phoenix freshman Zahir Mendoza denied the Hornets a shutout, gathering the ball in the penalty area and scoring in the 80th minute.
Henley’s six goals were its most of the season and the most Phoenix has allowed since 2021 (that game was also on the road against Henley). The Pirates dropped to No. 10 in the rankings following Monday’s game.
“Our boys knew that we did not step up and we didn’t play like we could have [last] Thursday,” Gonzales said. “And that’s a lot of credit to Klamath Union. We knew they’re a strong team, they’re very well coached, and we just didn’t step up like we should have.
“I think the boys wanted to make a statement tonight.”
Henley travels to Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (5-6-0, 1-4-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. Phoenix travels to Mazama (2-6-0, 0-4-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Other games
Klamath Union 3, Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian 1 (Boys)
No. 6 Klamath Union (8-1-1, 4-1-0 Skyline Conference) continued its historic run and remained tied for first place in the Skyline Conference thanks in part to a four-minute double to open the second half at Modoc Field.
Senior Jose Garcia took a pass from classmate Bryce Petersen just outside the penalty area and evaded one defender before firing through another’s legs and into the bottom left corner to break a scoreless tie in the 41st minute. In the 45th minute, a Pelicans corner kick led to junior Omar Garcia scoring for the third straight game; the ball bounced around several times before coming to Garcia at the top of the box, where he sent it (still bouncing) into the bottom left corner.
Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (5-6-0, 1-4-0) pulled one back in the 75th minute when junior Mattix Embury took a pass from classmate Hector Ramos and dribbled to the top of the penalty area before firing into the bottom left corner. Klamath Union stayed composed and dashed the Mustangs’ hopes of an equalizer when sophomore Carlos Garcia scored on a 52-yard free kick that came down at an unsavable angle.
“I was worried about this game after coming off such an emotional win against Henley,” Klamath Union head coach Trevor Petersen said. “I was very proud of our players for getting their heads right and coming out again with the level of intensity and focus necessary to pull off important back-to-back wins.”
The Pelicans have now reached eight wins for the first time since 2011, when they finished 13-4-0 and made the 4A quarterfinals. Monday’s win also gave them their first season sweep of the Mustangs since at least 2012 (complete records go back to 2013). Prior to this year, Klamath Union had not beaten Hidden Valley since 2014.
The Mustangs host No. 4 Henley (8-2-1, 4-1-0) at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The Pelicans travel to No. 10 Phoenix (6-2-2, 3-2-0) at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
Henley 4, Phoenix 0 (Girls)
No. 5 Henley (9-2-0, 5-0-0 Skyline Conference) recorded its fourth straight shutout, with freshman Saige White and sophomore Samantha Cunningham splitting time in goal.
Junior Brisi Flores (two goals), junior Camille Tobiasson and senior Berniece Clifford scored for the Hornets, who logged an 8-0 mercy rule win over Phoenix (2-8-1, 0-5-0) in the teams’ first meeting Sept. 26.
“We didn’t play our best, but at this point of the season we are happy for wins any way we can get them, especially on the road,” Henley head coach Mike Hedlund said.
Both teams play at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Henley hosts Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (4-5-1, 1-3-1), while Phoenix hosts Mazama (4-4-0, 2-2-0).
Klamath Union 2, Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian 1 (Girls)
Klamath Union (7-2-1, 3-1-1 Skyline Conference) matched its most league wins since 2015–the last time it beat Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian (4-5-1, 1-3-1).
“The girls came into this extremely motivated to win,” Klamath Union head coach Sean Ferns said. “They came together as a team on and off the field and…did not give up fighting.”
All three goals came in the final 10 minutes. Pelicans freshman Allie Nelson scored on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper following a breakaway around the 70th minute. About five minutes later, sophomore Kenzi Freid was cut down in the penalty area, drawing a PK that junior Bella Armijo converted. The Mustangs scored in the 78th minute but were unable to find a last-gasp equalizer.
Junior goalkeeper Anyssa Jimenez made seven saves for the Pelicans despite playing most of the game with a broken nose. The injury occurred when she collided with a Mustangs player in about the 20th minute. Jimenez returned after briefly subbing out for treatment.
“Anyssa was a beast in this game, both for her performance and for coming back after her injury,” Ferns said.
The win elevated Klamath Union from No. 10 to No. 8 in the OSAA 4A computer rankings.
Hidden Valley/New Hope Christian travels to No. 5 Henley (9-2-0, 5-0-0) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Klamath Union hosts Phoenix (2-8-1, 0-5-0) at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21.
