Varsity 541

Grizzlies topple Comets, win SSC title

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CENTRAL POINT — Adam Pavlich scored a pair of first-half goals to give Ashland a lead it wouldn't relinquish as the Grizzlies defeated Crater 3-0 on Tuesday to clinch the Southern Sky Conference boys soccer title.

Ashland (7-1) will next play on Nov. 10 against the No. 2 seed from the Mid-Willamette Conference in a first-round Class 5A state playoff game.

The Comets (4-3), who currently own the SSC's No. 2 seed, end the regular season Saturday against Eagle Point.

Pavlich opened the scoring in the 25th minute off an assist from Ian Murray, and was assisted on his second goal in the 29th by Neil Presicci.

"We passed the ball extremely well in the first half," said Ashland coach Brad Roupp. "We were able to get behind the defense and convert."

Crater changed formations over the final 40 minutes in an attempt to get more of an offensive surge.

The Grizzlies, however, didn't bend and Pablo Leal tacked on the game's final goal off an assist from Diego Harrison in the 74th.

"They finished when they had the opportunity," said Crater coach Rael Hirning. "We put pressure on them (in the second half) but hit the crossbar a couple times and just couldn't convert."

KLAMATH UNION 5, EAGLE POINT 0 — At Eagle Point, Chris Endacott gave Klamath Union a 1-0 lead at halftime and fellow Pelicans Ethan Olson, Anthony Oksen, Arturo Ortega and Seth Reynolds scored in the second half.

Eagle Point dropped to 1-11-1 overall and 0-7 in SSC play.

Southwest Conference

SOUTH MEDFORD 2, SHELDON 0 — At Eugene, Brian Avila scored with an assist by Kory Kellum in the fifth minute and the South Medford standouts switched roles in the 75th minute as Kellum scored and Avila got the assist.

Mitch North had three saves to secure the shutout for the Panthers (9-4, 6-3 SWC).

GRANTS PASS 2, NORTH MEDFORD 1 — North Medford got on the board first thanks to a goal from Cristobal Caamano in the 45th minute but came up short in dropping to 0-7-1 in SWC play.

Grants Pass scored in the 65th minute to tie it up on a goal by Chris Krause and an assist from Kevin Wilcox. In the 70th minute, Taylor Griggs scored on an assist from Brian Sattherwaite for the game-winner for the Cavemen (3-6 SWC).

Skyline Conference

PHOENIX 6, ILLINOIS VALLEY 0 — At Cave Junction, Jonathan Hernandez, who recently moved into the starting lineup because of an injury, scored one goal and had three assists as Phoenix clinched the conference championship outright.

The Class 4A top-ranked Pirates (12-0, 7-0 Skyline) were co-champions with Hidden Valley last year.

Hernandez, a senior wing, opened the scoring in the second minute off an assist from Jalisco Macias.

Hernandez then assisted on the next two goals. Macias scored in the fourth minute and Miguel Diaz tallied the first of two goals at the 23-minute mark.

Luis Rocha completed the first-half scoring, with Macias assisting.

In the second half, Diaz scored off a Hernandez assist and Carlos Mena, the Pirates goalkeeper, got a goal on a penalty kick in the final minute.

District 3

ST. MARY'S 11, GOLD BEACH 1 — Harrison Leep scored three first-half goals for a natural hat trick — all off assists by Reid Arne — to lead St. Mary's to the District 3 rout at U.S. Cellular Community Park.

Jesus Aruno repeated Leep's feat with three goals in the second half, with Noah Kotler, Davis Darnall and Keenan Grant each earning an assist for the Crusaders (11-3, 10-3 Dist. 3).

Grant added a pair of second half goals, while Elliot Coughlin, Jeff Reeder and Mark Raniele also found the net in the final 40 minutes. Darnall assisted on two of those goals, while Raniele also was credited with an assist.

Marceleno Ramos scored for Gold Beach, which trailed only 3-0 at halftime.

HOSANNA CHRISTIAN 2, ROGUE RIVER 0 — At Klamath Falls, Darryn Say scored in the second and 30th minutes for Hosanna Christian in the District 3 contest.

Goalkeeper Tyler Donahue had five saves for Rogue River (5-8).