Sammy Halferty, Avery Nightingale and Ella Knott combined to lead the offensive effort Tuesday, but the Taft High girls soccer team squandered a 1-0 halftime lead to fall 3-2 to Salem Academy/Western Christian in a Special District 2 road game.

“The Kids completely outplayed Salem Academy, but their goalie kept them in the match,” Taft coach Joey Arce-Torres said. “We missed a couple of opportunities that would have sealed the match early. We were dominate on both sides of the ball.

“The defense played well, but we were unable to finish them when we had open shots. That has been our Achilles’ heel. We have more shots on goal and easier shots, but can’t find the net.”

Arce-Torres said the Tigers “ran into some bad luck,” on an early second-half score off a corner kick that bounded off a Taft player before the Tigers were whistled for a hand ball violation in the box that resulted in a successful penalty kick.

“To our team’s credit, we battled back for a tie after Halferty buries one from a great throw in from Ella,” Arce-Torres said. “Both teams fought hard for a third goal and Salem Academy made it happen. We battled till the end but came up short.

“I really wanted this one. We just fell to an equal team today.”

Taft (3-6) returns to action at 4:15 p.m. Thursday at home against Blanchet Catholic (6-2-1).

Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Standings

GS-Goals Scored; GA-Goals Allowed

Jose Flores scored three goals, and William Calderon, Edson Fuentes, Sammy Vasquez and Matias Vesma two each Tuesday to lead the Taft High boys soccer team to a 13-0 league win at Salem Academy that ran the Tigers’ season scoring advantage to 70-5.

“Salem Academy is always a good group to play and they never quit through the whole game,” Taft coach Ryan Ulicni said. “After we took a big lead in the first half, we were able to get some other players in for some game time.”

Alex Del Valle and Ivan Cortez also had goals for the Tigers

“It was nice to see all of them adjust to a new strategy mid-game,” Ulicni said. “The biggest improvement they had shown was the ability to stay focused and keep their heads the entire game. This will be a great launching pad for our home game Thursday.”

The Tigers (8-1) host Blanchet Catholic (2-5-2) at 6:30 p.m. at Voris Field.

Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Standings

GS=Goals Scored; GA=Goals Allowed

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

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 4-0 

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
  

The Taft High girls soccer team saw its fortunes reversed following a 5-1 victory Monday by falling 2-0 to Amity/Perrydale Thursday in the third game of a four-match road swing.

“There weren’t many highlights to speak of,” Taft coach Joey Arce-Torres said. “The kids got outhustled and played flat most of the match.”

The Tigers, who played without starting sweeper Delayna O’Daniels, were coming off a four-goal win at Gervais.

“We knew Amity had the toughest defense in the conference and we definitely had our chances but didn’t connect,” Arce-Torres said. “The defense struggled more than usual today, wasn’t their best, unfortunately, and gave up some easy goals. We have not had a home match for awhile and are feeling it.”

Taft hits the road again Tuesday for a match at Salem Academy/Western Christian.

“We need to find some energy,” Arce-Torres said. “Hate being on the road. The kids struggled with their focus and never got going today.”

Arce-Torres said Amity had the fewest goals scored against it within the conference, “so we worked on offense all week.”

“We scored five goals on Monday and looked solid Tuesday and Wednesday at practice,” he said. “I thought all we had to do is get one or two against their stingy defense and drag home a win.

“We had the right shots, enough for a win, and high-percentage to boot, but couldn’t find the net. I thought our defense could keep a clean sheet,  but we gave up two goals within two feet of the goal.”

Despite the loss, Arce-Torres said sophomore Saige Ulrich is having a breakout year.

“She works hard, is humble and asks for direction and advice after every game and practice,” he said. “She is by far our most improved athlete this season. I am truly thrilled with her attitude, high energy and awareness of the game.”

Surviving the recent road swoon and the immediate future might help Taft in the long-term, he said.

“This is the tough part of the season — multiple road trips in a row, bad weather and grade checks around the corner,” he said. “I’m hoping our few seniors can assist their teammates in getting them over the hump and find their identity. We have the talent, but have yet to play our best.”

Class 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Standings

GS-Goals Scored; GA-Goals Allowed

Schedule

Tuesday, Sept. 10 vs. *Amity, W 1-0

Thursday, Sept. 12 vs. *Salem Academy, W 2-1

Friday, Sept. 13 @ Westside Christian, L 3-1

Monday, Sept. 16 @ *Blanchet Catholic, L 4-1

Thursday, Sept. 19 vs. *Yamhill-Carlton, L 5-1

Monday, Sept. 23 @ *Dayton, L 2-0

Monday, Sept. 30 @ *Gervais, W 5-1

Thursday, Oct. 3 @ *Amity, L 2-0

Tuesday, Oct. 8 @ *Salem Academy, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 10 vs. *Blanchet Catholic, 4:15 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 14 @ *Yamhill-Carlton, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17 vs. *Dayton, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 24 vs. *Gervais, 5 p.m.

• denotes league game