Taft High used two goals from junior William Calderon and another from senior Edson Fuentes to defeat Delphian 3-1 Friday night in a boys soccer league road match.
“We played a very well-prepared Delphian team,” Taft coach Ryan Ulicni said. “Having not seen them since the opening game, they were ready for us. We had also changes our game and improved in some areas that took them by surprise.”
Calderon, with “a brilliant piece of individual skill to stay with it,” scored Taft’s first goal in the early minutes. While it took awhile, Caldreon added a second goal on an assist by Alex Del Valle, and Fuentes added a score for a 3-0 halftime lead.
“The second half seemed to be a different game,” Ulicni said. “Delphian played a solid defense, which earned them a breakaway goal we were not ready for.”
Solid goalkeeping and ball control helped hold off Delphian the rest of the way.
“Our defense stepped it up and matched the taller offense wonderfully,” Ulicni said. “We had plenty of shots, with some off the crossbar and saved by their keeper, who was great for them all game.”
Taft sophomore Sam Cortes had 10 saves in goal, “with some game-savers, which he has worked on to be ready.”
“A great game and a great group of boys,” Ulicni said.
Taft, which has outscored its eight opponents 57-5 this season, improved to 7-1. The Tigers return to action at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at Salem Academy.
Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Standings
| League | Overall | GS | GA | Â Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|  Taft (3A) | 7-1 | 7-1 | 57 | 5 | 11 |
|  Dayton (3A) | 7-1 | 7-2 | 34 | 15 | 10 |
| Western Christian/Perrydale (2A) | 5-2-1 | 5-3-1 | 36 | 15 | 26 |
|  Delphian (2A) | 3-3-2 | 3-4-2 | 27 | 10 | 26 |
|  Blanchet Catholic (3A) | 2-3-2 | 2-3-2 | 21 | 15 | 34 |
|  Yamhill-Carlton (3A) | 3-3-1 | 3-3-1 | 24 | 15 | 32 |
|  Salem Academy (3A) | 1-6 | 1-6 | 6 | 71 | 51 |
|  Gervais (2A) | 0-8 | 0-8 | 4 | 74 | 58 |
GS=Goals Scored; GA=Goals Allowed
Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 11 vs. Delphian, W 3-1
Thursday, Sept. 12 vs. *Salem Academy, W 20-0
Wednesday, Sept. 18 @ Blanchet Catholic, W 4-0Â
Thursday, Sept. 20 vs. *Yamhill-Carlton, W 4-0
Wednesday, Sept. 25 @ *Dayton, L 2-0
Friday, Sept. 27 vs. *Western Christian/Perrydale, W 5-1
Wednesday, Oct. 2 @ *Gervais, W 18-0
Friday, Oct. 4 @ *Delphian, W 3-1
Tuesday, Oct. 8 @ *Salem Academy, 4:15 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10 vs. *Blanchet Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 14 @ *Yamhill-Carlton, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28 vs. *Dayton, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 23 @ *Western Christian/Perrydale, 4:15 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25 vs. *Gervais, 4:15 p.m.
- denotes league game
