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Game Over Arcade master keys stolen, police seek public’s help

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Pinball lincoln city

Lincoln City Police are looking for a man wanted in connection with the Sept. 11 theft of Game Over Arcade’s master keys and approximately $15 in quarters from a pinball machine.

“This doesn’t make sense,” Game Over Arcade owner Christopher Donner said. “I was raised if it’s not yours don’t touch it.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, Donner noticed his master keys were missing and went to check his surveillance system to see where they went. Donner saw a man enter the arcade and take money from his Family Guy pinball machine on video.

“He grabs the keys while nobody is looking,” Donner said. “He opens a pinball machine, takes the money and leaves with the money and the keys.”

The man can be seen getting into and driving away in a white Honda Ridgeline truck, but the license plates could not be made out on the video. Donner believes the man was possibly on a lunch break from a job site as the man can be seen wearing work boots and pants and it was just after 1pm.

The cost to replace all of the locks at the arcade, 2821 NE Highway 101, is upwards of $3,000 Donner said. Labor and time to install them not included.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect and anyone with information is encouraged to call 541-994-3636.

Potent early season fronts to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, wind

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Rain Oregon
(Photo by Mother Nature Network)

National Weather Service Portland has issued a Special Weather Statement Sunday night for the Oregon Coast concerning isolated thunderstorms, significant rainfall and gusty conditions Monday and Tuesday.

With heavy rainfall (one inch) affecting the Pacific Northwest and southwest Washington Sunday, more is on the way as two cold fronts are moving across the region bringing the possibility for thunderstorms and more heavy showers Monday.

Thunder and lightning could be heard and seen in Lincoln City Monday morning around 3 a.m.

Calling it an “early season front” and “potent,” the NWS Special Statement states Tuesday will see gusty south winds along the coast and inland. Gusts could reach 50 mph along beaches and headlands, making this the first significant windy cold front of the season.

Those planning to spend time in the Cascades should be prepared
for an extended period of autumn-like weather that will last
through at least Wednesday. Snow levels are expected to lower to
6000-7000 feet with the passage of the cold front Tuesday and
Tuesday night. Even if it is not cold enough to snow, those in the
Cascades should be prepared for more cold, wet weather
through at least Wednesday.

For more information on this ongoing damp and chilly weather,
visit www.weather.gov/portland.


Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement…RESENT
National Weather Service Portland OR
948 PM PDT Sun Sep 15 2019

ORZ001>008-010>013-015-WAZ019>022-039-040-045-161700-
North Oregon Coast-Central Oregon Coast-
Coast Range of Northwest Oregon-
Central Coast Range of Western Oregon-Lower Columbia-
Greater Portland Metro Area-Central Willamette Valley-
South Willamette Valley-Northern Oregon Cascade Foothills-
Northern Oregon Cascades-Cascade Foothills in Lane County-
Cascades in Lane County-Western Columbia River Gorge-
South Washington Cascades-Willapa Hills-South Washington Coast-I-
5 Corridor in Cowlitz County-Greater Vancouver Area-
South Washington Cascade Foothills-
Including the cities of Astoria, Cannon Beach, Tillamook,
Netarts, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Newport, Cape Foulweather,
Yachats, Florence, Vernonia, Jewell, Sunset Summit, Lees Camp,
Trask, Grande Ronde, Burnt Woods, Tidewater, Swisshome, Veneta,
St. Helens, Clatskanie, Hillsboro, Portland, Wilsonville,
Oregon City, Gresham, Troutdale, Salem, McMinnville, Woodburn,
Stayton, Dallas, Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon,
Sandy, Estacada, Silver Falls State Park, Sweet Home,
Government Camp, Detroit, Santiam Pass, Vida, Jasper, Lowell,
Cottage Grove, McKenzie Pass, McKenzie Bridge, Oakridge,
Willamette Pass, Corbett, Rooster Rock, Multnomah Falls,
Cascade Locks, Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center, Mount St. Helens,
Wind River Valley, Willapa, Frances, Elk Mountain, Ryderwood,
Raymond, Long Beach, Ocean Park, Naselle, Cathlamet,
Cape Disappointment, Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Vancouver,
Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Washougal, Yacolt, Amboy, Toutle,
Ariel, Lake Merwin, Yale Lake, Cougar, North Bonneville,
and Stevenson
948 PM PDT Sun Sep 15 2019

…ANOTHER POTENT EARLY SEASON FRONT TO BRING MORE RAIN AND GUSTY
WINDS LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY…

Significant rainfall affected southwest Washington and northwest
Oregon Sunday, as the first in a series of early season moved
across the region. Most locations received one-half to three-
quarters of an inch of rain, while coastal and higher terrain
locations locally received an inch or more.

After post-frontal showers and isolated thunderstorms Monday, the
next frontal system will be quick on its heels, spreading rain
onshore into southern Washington by sunrise Tuesday. This system
is expected to bring another round of significant rainfall to the
region Tuesday. Expected rainfall totals from the system Tuesday
appear to be similar, if not slightly higher than Sunday`s front.

Gusty south winds can be expected Tuesday, both along the coast
and inland. Gusts along the coast may approach 50 mph along the
beaches and headlands, making this the first significantly windy
cold front of the season. Inland areas, including the Willamette
Valley, may experience gusts as high as 35 mph Tuesday.

Those planning to spend time in the Cascades should be prepared
for an extended period of autumn-like weather that will last
through at least Wednesday. Snow levels are expected to lower to
6000 to 7000 feet with the passage of the cold front Tuesday and
Tuesday night. Even if it is not cold enough to snow, those in the
Cascades should be prepared for more cold, raw, wet weather
through at least Wednesday.

For more information on this ongoing damp and chilly weather,
visit our website at www.weather.gov/portland, or stay tuned to
your favorite source of weather information.

Four Tigers take top finishes into Cape Kiwanda Challenge

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Four Taft High athletes will be coming off top-10 performances when the Tigers return to cross country action Thursday at the Nestucca Cape Kiwanda Challenge.

Seniors Hunter Lundstedt and Lucas Hindman shared sixth place last week to lead the boys team Tuesday at the Amity Invite Keeler Estate Vineyards cross country meet, while senior classmates Brooke Orendorff and Alani Cabal finished fourth and 10th, respectively, for the girls.

Competing along with Taft and host Nestucca on Thursday will be Delphian, Jefferson, Riverdale, Sheridan, Vernonia, Waldport, West Albany and Willamina.

The Tigers are scheduled to join 20 teams Saturday for the annual Prefontaine Memorial Run in Coos Bay.

5,000 meters varsity
Team Scores
1. Knappa 30
2. Rainier (OR) 38
3. Taft 60
1. 12 Robert Pina-Morton 19:42
Knappa
2. 11 Ben Schanz 20:05
Crosshill Christian
3. 9 Isaiah Rodriguez 21:00
Knappa
4. 12 Thomas Souther 21:52
Rainier (OR)
5. 12 Jaedan Abel 22:09
Rainier (OR)
6. 12 Hunter Lundstedt 22:10
Taft
7. 12 Lucas Hindman 22:10
Taft
8. 12 Spencer Waechtler 22:18
Yamhill-Carlton
9. 11 Cade Carter 22:45
Rainier (OR)
10. 10 Shane McMahan 22:52
Knappa
11. 9 Finn Corcoran 23:04
Knappa
12. 9 Clay Keyser 23:17
Knappa
13. 10 Micah Slape 23:38
Rainier (OR)
14. 9 Ethan Smalley 24:08
Knappa
15. 11 Brennan Thompkins 24:17
Rainier (OR)
16. 12 Drew McMullen 24:42
Amity
17. 12 Grant Burns 24:50.0
Crosshill Christian
18. 9 Cooper Fitch 24:58
Taft
19. 11 Joshua Espalin 24:59
Amity
20. 9 Thomas Dalton 25:32
Yamhill-Carlton
21. 10 James McGraw 26:55
Yamhill-Carlton
22. 11 Alex Patton 26:56
Rainier (OR)
23. 9 Moses Peitsch 27:53
Knappa
24. 9 Eli Jones 27:58
Taft
25. 9 Angelo Cruz Garcia 28:45
Taft
26. 12 Nathaniel Cable 28:47
Yamhill-Carlton
27. 10 Joseph McCormick 28:56
Taft
28. 12 Robert duPlessis 28:57
Rainier (OR)
29. 10 Boaz Simonds 31:34
Toledo
30. 9 Hunter Isom 31:39
Knappa
31. Keller Unknown 35:45
Knappa
32. Hakim Unknown 35:51
Knappa
33. 12 Benjamin Hayes 35:57
Amity
3,000 Meters JV
1. 12 Isaiah Bamford 12:27
Rainier (OR)
2. 9 Chase Sitton 13:20
Yamhill-Carlton
3. 10 Zander Hryczyk 13:31
Taft
4. 11 Ishmael Karci 13:45
Amity
5. 9 Aiden Gomes 13:56
Yamhill-Carlton
6. 9 Evan Finnel 13:57
Rainier (OR)
7. 9 Jacob Giddings No Time
Amity
8. 12 Ethan Price No Time
Taft
3,000 Meters Middle School
1. 7 Kep Barram 9:59
Salem Academy Christ…
2. 8 Peyton Lagers 10:15
Rainier
3. Oscar Unknown 10:26
Hilda Lahti
4. 8 Caden Rose-Cozad 10:41
Rainier
5. 8 Brennan Hake 10:50
Amity
6. 8 Garrett Crawford 11:20
Rainier
7. 7 Cameron Trowbridge 11:32
Taft
8. 6 Jonah Higdon 11:45
Nestucca Valley
9. 7 Ryuma Evenson 12:12
Taft
10. 8 Kristian Cabal 12:13
Taft
11. 8 Grayson Spath 12:28
Nestucca Valley
12. 8 Kenneth Blackburn 12:29
Nestucca Valley
13. 7 Brenton Schiminesky 12:33
Nestucca Valley
14. 7 Brandon Boyd 12:39
Rainier
15. 7 Brycen Storm 12:58
Taft
16. 6 Tatsuma Evenson 13:05
Taft
17. 5 Harry Sumpter 13:10
Salem Academy Christ…
18. 8 Blake Ricks 13:19
Nestucca Valley
19. 7 Skylar Phillips 15:21
Rainier
20. 5 Ezra Powers 18:37
Salem Academy Christ…

 Girls

5,000 Meters Varsity
Team Scores
1. Rainier (OR) 15
1. 11 Cristin Brethower 24:25
Yamhill-Carlton
2. 9 Alyse Hurley 26:08
Yamhill-Carlton
3. 10 Chloe Crawford 27:11
Rainier (OR)
4. 12 Brooke Orendorff 28:56
Taft
5. 12 Sydney Crawford 31:02
Rainier (OR)
6. 11 Ariana Kneeland 31:05
Rainier (OR)
7. 12 Sabrina Callen 32:51
Crosshill Christian
8. 10 Angelina Crawford 35:03
Rainier (OR)
9. 10 Peyton Kneeland 35:03
Rainier (OR)
10. 12 Alani Cabal 38:10
Taft
11. 10 Shellia Brandt 38:23
Toledo
12. 10 Ashley Edholm 38:26
Toledo
13. 9 Grace Richardson 45:19
Rainier (OR)
14. 12 Janella Fleser 48:43
Toledo
3,000 Meters Middle School
1. 7 Sophia Buswell 13:09
Salem Academy Christ…
2. 7 Olivia Buswell 13:10.0
Salem Academy Christ…
3. 7 Sarah Noel Sprenger 13:33
Amity
4. 5 Ava Zalewski 15:18
Taft
5. 7 Jessica Alba 15:20.0
Amity
6. 8 Aliviah Mode 15:28
Taft
7. 8 Melanie Velasquez 15:59
Nestucca Valley
8. 7 Kassi McLeod 16:24
Rainier
9. 7 Leila Louchart 16:59
Amity
10. 8 Aidia Dobbels 17:32
Rainier
11. 6 Daniela Barrios 18:05
Amity
12. 6 Edith Betts 18:05
Amity
13. 5 Ellie Nightingale 18:29
Taft
14. 8 Nicole Ziegler 19:28
Nestucca Valley
15. 8 Megan Kenyon 19:47
Salem Academy Christ…
16. 5 Gabriella Ashmon 20:38
Taft
17. 5 Layla Jones 20:41
Taft
18. 8 Hanna VandenEnden 20:44
Taft
19. 6 Jessica Haeckel 20:44
Taft
20. 5 Katelyn Hatton 20:47
Taft
21. 7 Linzy Banks 21:04
Amity
22. 8 Kerrin Higdon 21:41
Nestucca Valley
Source: Athletic.net

Sutherlin turns the tables on visiting Taft with 33-18 football victory

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Logan Gilleo had several key runs for the Tigers

Trenton Hall, Fco Ramos and JJ French scored touchdowns, but Taft High couldn’t stop Sutherlin from gaining a measure of revenge Friday from a narrow defeat last season in a 33-18 Class 3A nonconference road loss to the Bulldogs.

Trenton Hall scores Taft’s first TD

“Overall, we didn’t play as well as we did Week 1 [in a 14-6 home win] vs. Harrisburg,” Taft coach Jake Tolan said. “We turned the ball over four times, committed way too many penalties, and were missing some key starters on both the offensive line and defensive line.”

Sutherlin, which Taft defeated 14-13 for its only victory last year, scored first for a 7-0 lead before Hall made it 7-6 with the Tigers’ first touchdown on a 1-yard run.

Photos by Lon French

Taking advantage of numerous penalties and turnovers, Sutherlin scored twice more to make it 20-6 before junior quarterback Antonio Saurez hit Ramos for a 6-yard score and 20-12 deficit. A two-point conversion try failed.

Fco Ramos scores on pass from Antonio SaurezDown 33-12, French scored Taft’s final touchdown on a 17-yard run before another two-point conversion attempt failed.
JJ French celebrates a late score

“Our defense also didn’t play as well, as we were unable to make the necessary adjustments to stop their running game,” Tolan said. “Our game plan going into the game was solid, but our execution was not there throughout the game.”

Senior Jacob Merrifield scored on runs of 3, 5 and 83 yards for the Bulldogs, while junior Josh Davis scored from 6 and 34 yards out.

“We had several drives tonight where we effectively moved the ball, but ended up turning the ball over,” Tolan said. “A lot of credit goes to Sutherlin, who played well and fought hard all night, but I feel like we beat ourselves tonight.”

The Tigers, 1-1 following a season-opening 14-6 home win over Harrisburg last week, return to action Friday, Sept. 20, in a 7:30 p.m. home game against Knappa. The Loggers (1-1) fell 22-12 Friday at home against fellow Class 2A member Toledo.

“We have to take care of the ball better and be more disciplined moving forward,” Tolan said. “We have another difficult opponent next week in Knappa and we need to focus on getting better this week.”

Class 3A Special District 1 West Standings

League Overall PS PA Rank
 Rainier 0-0 2-0 56 12 1
 Amity 0-0 1-0 34 32 5
 Clatskanie 0-0 1-1 79 63 11
 Dayton 0-0 1-1 0 39 18
 Taft 0-0 1-1 32 39 23
 Willamina 0-0 0-2 0 66 29

PS=Points Scored; PA=Points Against

Knott returns to scoring column but Tigers drop girls soccer match

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Ella Knott (File photos by Lon French)

Ella Knott continued her return from a serious knee injury that cost the star athlete much of the 2018-19 sports season Friday by scoring Taft High’s only goal in the team’s first defeat of the young girls soccer season.

“We lost our first match of the season against a very talented Westside Christian team,” Taft coach Joey Arce-Torres said of the 3-1 Special District 2 road defeat. “They and that match will most definitely assist us in our long season. Nothing like learning from a defeat.”

With her left leg in a brace, Ella Knott drives downfield in action earlier this season

Knott, a star State javelin thrower, provided the Tigers’ only score following two one-goal league victories to start the season this week.

“She looked like her old self prior to her injury,” Arce-Torres said.

Westside scored from an early corner kick and on two lasers from long distance, Arce-Torres said.

“Our biggest area for improvement is communication,” he said. “We continually overworked without reward. Too many times we had three defenders on the ball and two open opponents. Westside played a possession-styled offense and we chased until we got tired.”

Taft senior striker Sammy Halferty failed to score for the first time, but pitched in big-time on the defensive end, Arce-Torres said.

“Sammy mainly played a defensive role today due to her sore legs and queasy stomach,” he said.

Olivia Coulter

He said Olivia Coulter gained some valuable minutes and is learning quickly while promising to be “a great asset to our program for years to come.”

Arce-Torres said new goalie Nicole Reyes consistently kicked 50-yard drop kicks.

“We just need a better percentage from our shots on goal,” he  said. “I am confident that is in the near future.

“The final score was 3-1, but the kids licked their wounds and are already thinking about their next matchup.”

Taft returns to action Monday at Blanchet Catholic.

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

League Overall GS GA  Rank
 Taft (3A) 2-0 2-1 4 4 12
 Blanchet Catholic (3A) 1-0-1 1-1-1 4 3 24
 Gervais (2A) 0-0-1 0-0-1 1 1 27
 Yamhill-Carlton (3A) 0-0 0-1 1 6 18
 Amity / Perrydale (3A) 0-1-1 0-1-1 0 1 22
 Dayton (3A) 0-1-1 0-1-1 1 3 30
 Salem Academy/Western Christian (3A) 0-1 0-2 1 12 29

GS-Goals Scored; GA-Goals Allowed

Struggles aside, Taft volleyball team gears up for league play with winning attitude

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Makena Cole, left, and Aleah Bailey

Seeing the progress she had hoped for, Taft High volleyball coach Kelsey Hart thinks her team is on pace and ready for the start of the league season later this week at home against Warrenton.

Maybe that explains all the smiles.

Natalie Ramirez

“I am really pleased by the attitudes of everyone on the team,” Hart said. “Volleyball is a hugely mental game and attitudes can torpedo a good team’s momentum and potential. This year, the girls aren’t having any attitude issues, and they’ve been playing much better because of that.”

Natalie Gates

Taft started strong with a first-set win Friday, but faded after that with three straight losses to fall 3-1 to host Sutherlin in Class 3A nonconference action.The Tigers fell to 1-5 with the 17-25, 25-15, 25-11, 25-14 defeat, while Sutherlin improved to 3-4.

Taft, which opened the week with a victory Monday against Waldport, was playing its third match in five days.

The Tigers return to play Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in its final nonleague match at Amity. Taft opens Coastal Range League play Thursday at 6 p.m. at home against Warrenton.

Addie Gates
Aleah Bailey

“I am constantly surprised by just how versatile my girls are this year,” Hart said. “There are so many players that can play so many positions. They surprise me everyday with something new.

Natalie Gates (No. 2) leads the charge

“The biggest thing we need to work on is our defense. We’ve finally got a group of players that are tall enough/have enough hops that we can get our block up on hitters more. And we have a great group in the back row. Right now we’re working on putting all the pieces together to have a truly effective defense.”

Coach Kelsey Hart and freshman Hailey Weaver

Hart said there have been several other pleasantries individually this season.

Corey Van Damme

“Freshman Aleah Bailey, one of our middle hitters, is currently leading our team in kills and aces. She’s a major asset in our front row,” she said. “Freshman Nat Gates, our libero, is a stud in the back row. She is constantly getting her hands on balls that look like they should have dropped. Sophomore Lily Hatton, our setter, has been doing a great job getting balls to our hitters. She’s also been a great leader on the court, especially for an underclassman.”

Lily Hatton

It’s the team aspect that has been most pleasing, however, she said.

“The attitudes of the girls this year are amazing,” she said. “We haven’t had the drama that teams have had in the past. It doesn’t feel like there are any cliques or groups like that. They are meshing together so well. It has really helped us get some sets off of really good teams. I can’t wait to see how it helps us once league play starts.”

File photos by Lon French

Class 3A Coastal Range League Standings 

League Overall SW SL  Rank
 Willamina 0-0 3-3 11 11 17
 Warrenton 0-0 3-6 12 17 22
 Taft 0-0 1-5 7 16 33
 Rainier 0-0 0-3 1 9 34
 Clatskanie 0-0 0-6 1 16 32

SW = Sets Won; SL = Sets Lost

‘Good girl’ finds pound of meth in Newport drug bust

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Newport Drug dog zoe

Newport Police K9 Zoe was instrumental Wednesday in the discovery of a large amount of different drugs at a home in Newport.

William Canning
William Canning

Newport Police officers, the Street Crimes Response Team and Officer Zoe, worked off the tip that a Longview, Wash., man, William Gene Canning, transported a large quantity of drugs into the city.

Canning was at a home known for drug activity, Newport Police said.

Zoe was deployed during the investigation and signaled officers of possible narcotics in Canning’s personal property. A search warrant for the home was issued and executed with approximately one pound of methamphetamine discovered, along with a commercial quantity of heroin/fentanyl mixture, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, suspected LSD and numerous pharmaceutical drugs.

Canning faces charges of delivery of heroin, manufacture of heroin, possession of heroin, delivery of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, delivery of cocaine, manufacture of cocaine and possession of cocaine. His bail was set at $500,000.

If you have any information regarding this case, contact Detective Humphreys or Officer Bales of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348.

The Newport Police Department encourages citizens to report suspicious activities to the Newport Police Tip Line at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip to 541-270-1856 or email [email protected].

Advisories lifted for Agate, Beverly, Seal Rock, Neskowin and Rockaway beaches

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The Oregon Health Authority today lifted public health advisories for contact with marine water at Beverly Beach, Agate Beach, and Seal Rock State Park Beach located in Lincoln County and Neskowin Beach and Rockaway Beach in Tillamook County. The health authority issued the advisories September 10 and 11 after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from later samples taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. However, officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

State officials continue to encourage other recreational activities at all Oregon beaches, suggesting only that water contact be avoided when advisories are in effect.

Since 2003 state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call the OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

Dominating Taft boys roll to 20-0 home league soccer victory

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Jose Flores (File photos by Lon French)

The result was the same, but the method to the madness couldn’t have been any more different Thursday as the Taft High boys soccer team matched its female counterparts by starting off the season with back-to-back wins.

While the Taft girls defeated Salem Academy/Western Christian by the narrowest of margins, 2-1 in the opening game at Voris Field, the boys waltzed off with a 20-0 conference victory over Salem Academy.

“Scoring goals is always exciting,” Taft boys coach Ryan Ulicni said, “but it’s the fact that we did not allow any goals that lets us know we are doing a complete game.”

Coach Ryan Ulicni

The Tigers opened their season Wednesday with a 3-1 home victory over Delphian.

“Tonight we played for the second day in a row, but judging by the kids’ energy and effort on the field you’d never know it,” Ulicni said. “Having a total of 19 goals and six different players scoring is a fantastic statement.  Seeing our defense keep it to a zero is an ever bigger accomplishment.”

Ulicni said senior co-captain Estib Hernandez led the defense, along with juniors Ethan Thomas, Adam Lascano and Ivan Cortez, “who make sure  everyone stays in their position and focused.”

He said sophomore goalie Sam Cortez “did a great job communicating with our defense and moving them as needed.”

Sam Cortes

“Every game has something you can learn from,” he said. “Looking forward, there are always things to work on. We have a better beginning than last year, but we have put in the work all summer. This is where it shows. They stayed focused throughout and played a great game.”

To the best of his knowledge, Ulicni said Fuentes scored seven goals; junior co-captains William Calderon and Jose Flores and sophomore forward Sammy Vasquez three each; and junior midfielders Alex Del Valle and Mauricio Rivas one apiece.

“Scoring goals is always a beautiful thing,” he said. “Seeing a complete game from start to finish is truly the best.”

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

League Overall GS GA  Rank
 Taft (3A) 2-0 2-0 22 1 11
 Dayton (3A) 1-0 1-1 5 12 9
 Western Christian/Perrydale (2A) 1-0 1-1 13 5 9
 Salem Academy (3A) 0-1 0-1 0 19 19
 Blanchet Catholic (3A) 0-1 0-1 2 4 41
 Gervais (2A) 0-1 0-1 0 13 41
 Delphian (2A) 0-1 0-2 2 5 28
 Yamhill-Carlton (3A)

GS=Goals Scored; GA=Goals Allowed

Taft uses stiff defense, two first-half goals for girls soccer win

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Taft goalie Nicole Reyes (File photos by Lon French)

Senior striker Sammy Halferty scored her second goal in as many games on top of a gift goal by the opposition Thursday to lead the Taft High girls soccer team to a 2-1 league home victory over Salem Academy/Western Christian.

“I was very concerned and curious how the newly formed co-op team would look,” Taft coach Joey Arce-Torres said of an opponent combining two programs and led by two coaching staffs. “Western has always been one of the perennial giants in our league and rarely missed out on the State playoffs. They are always chuck-full of talent and very well coached.”

The Tigers jumped on top 1-0 when SA/WC sent an errant hit into its own goal.

“Sammy had been putting high pressure on their back line and, because of that, created panic, which created the mistake,” Arce-Torres said. ”With the goal, we found our confidence and rhythm.”

Alexia Alvarez

Another “easy” goal followed when midfielder Alexia Alvarez sent a “brilliant” angled pass to Halferty, who finished off the shot for her second goal of the young season.

“We completely dominated the co-op team and should have scored another two goals to secure a win, but did not execute,” Arce-Torres said.

Taft held a 2-0 halftime lead with virtually no penetration deep into its own end.

“Our defenders jumped passes early and kept them on their heels,” Arce-Torres said.

The second half started much like the first with the momentum heavily in the Tigers’ favor.

“Missed opportunities again followed,” Arce-Torres said as Salem Academy managed a score at the 20-minute mark on a shot that was long and high and drifted over Taft goalie Nicole Reyes’ hands.

“We then searched for a third goal, but again missed some one vs. one shots,” he said.

The Tigers’ tenacious defensive effort was led by senior Fatima Lupercio, who Arce-Torres said “rallied the troops” to keep the score 2- 1 for first place in conference play.

Arce-Torres said Delayna O’daniels, Lucy Reyes and Avery Nightingale “played some tough minutes on the backline” and were provided needed rest by the play of Claira Tolan, Olivia Coulter and Grace Kowarko.

“Our depth and supportive teammates really assisted today,” he said. “We are fortunate to have great kids in this program to bring all the support needed to elevate their teammates when needed.”

The Tigers travel to Westside Christian for another game at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

“We are truly tired,” Arce-Torres said as the Tigers face their third game this week. “I don’t know what we have left, but I know we will battle and use our bench.”

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

League Overall GS GA Rank
 Taft (3A) 2-0 2-0 3 1 8
 Blanchet Catholic (3A) 1-0 1-1 4 3 19
 Gervais (2A) 0-0-1 0-0-1 1 1 27
 Yamhill-Carlton (3A) 0-0 0-1 1 6 22
 Dayton (3A) 0-1-1 0-1-1 1 3 29
 Amity / Perrydale (3A) 0-1 0-1 0 1 13
 Salem Academy/Western Christian (3A) 0-1 0-2 1 12 20

GS-Goals Scored; GA-Goals Allowed