STUNNED FISHERMEN FALL TO PHOENIX
Who would have thought that a team that uses the hot, dry Southern Oregon climate to its advantage would steal a game from a heavily favored opponent in a November rainstorm.
The unheralded Phoenix Pirates upset previously unbeaten and top-ranked Astoria 2-0 in an OSAA 4A Boys Soccer State Tournament second round game at Warrenton, ending the most promising season in school history much sooner than expected.
The Fishermen were looking forward to potentially avenging last year's semifinal loss to McLoughlin, instead they will be transitioning to other winter pursuits on Wednesday as the Pirates move on to face another unbeaten team in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Jerry Boisvert was at a loss of words when trying to console his heartbroken team at the end of what most expected to be an easy win.
"I've never seen a more emotional bunch of kids after game," said Astoria's 8th year head coach, who was guiding his seventh state playoff team. "There were a lot of tears out there."
Even 30-45 minutes after the final whistle sent a jubilant band of Pirates to the sideline, there were still red eyes and streaked faces on the handful of players still making their way off the field, shocked that their season had come to an end on their home pitch.
The Fishermen appeared to have the early edge, owning possession of the ball for the first five minutes as Christoph Mundt put a strong shot just outside the upper right corner of goal on a strong corner turn in the box. Astoria had three of the first four shots before the Pirates turned momentum slightly.
Countering Astoria with a couple of quick runs, Phoenix outshot the Fishermen 7-to-1 for the remainder of the half as Astoria struggled to penetrate the Pirates back line.
"We struggled with their flatback [four across defensive alignment, designed to draw offsides infractions]," said Boisvert. "We got our scouting report over the weekend and really only had a day to work on offsides traps. They closed on the ball very well and shrunk the defensive zone."
The Pirates missed on a golden opportunity when leading scorer Naoki Tsujimori, who had fired a pair of long-range rocket shots that had just missed earlier in the half, found himself with an open look at the goal from 15 yards. As many players did on this moist afternoon, the Japanese exchange student did not get a clean shot on the wet ball. The dribbler was bobbled by Astoria goalkeeper Gabe Davis, making his first start in eight games after a quadriceps tear. The ball bounced free a few yards in front of goal, but Tsujimori did not chase his shot and Davis was able to corral it.
Moments later, the Pirates had another close range opportunity and did not miss. Absalon Castillo took a feed from fellow midfielder Albaro Gonzalez and poked a low shot past Davis just inside the right post in the 32nd minute.
The Pirates had an 8-4 edge in shots on goal in the first half and had five corner kicks to Astoria's three.
The Fishermen came out with increased energy early in the second half and took it to Phoenix aggressively, but could not capitalize on a couple of early opportunities. Midfielder Josimar Macareno made a left flank run close to goal but slipped as he shot and fired into the side netting. Kyle McMullen got between a couple of Phoenix defenders but went down in the box with no foul called. Moments later, an offsides call, one of nine on the Fishermen, got coach Boisvert's dander up and he drew a yellow card.
When successfully penetrating Phoenix's flatback four defense, the Fishermen had to contend with speedy Cody Shilts. The junior sweeper nullified a number of Astoria attacks with strong tackles, using his shoulder to get under the Fishermen forwards to move them off the ball.
McMullen had Astoria's two best opportunities in the flow of play. A deep run into Phoenix's box in the first half went for nought when the senior forward carried the ball a little too long and was unable to get a strong shot off. A loose ball scramble in the second half following a misplayed shot by Phoenix goalkeeper Francisco Padilla ended up with McMullen powering the ball over the crossbar.
Astoria had numerous corner kick opportunities, but could only create two shots in ten attempts, both headers by senior sweeper Matt Brause. One shot flew wide of the mark in the first half and another glanced off the head of a Phoenix defender and over the goal.
Astoria outshot the Pirates 14-to-12 for the game and had a 10-8 edge in corner kicks, limited Phoenix to one shot off a corner. Astoria was whistled for 17 fouls to Phoenix's nine.
"They played extremely well," said Boisvert. "We certainly had some chances but we couldn't take advantage of it. We got called offsides so often."
Astoria finished the season with a 12-1-2 record. Phoenix moves on to play McLoughlin in the quarterfinals. The defending champion Pioneers defeated Stayton 3-1 and will play at Phoenix on Saturday.
The unheralded Phoenix Pirates upset previously unbeaten and top-ranked Astoria 2-0 in an OSAA 4A Boys Soccer State Tournament second round game at Warrenton, ending the most promising season in school history much sooner than expected.
The Fishermen were looking forward to potentially avenging last year's semifinal loss to McLoughlin, instead they will be transitioning to other winter pursuits on Wednesday as the Pirates move on to face another unbeaten team in the quarterfinals.
Head coach Jerry Boisvert was at a loss of words when trying to console his heartbroken team at the end of what most expected to be an easy win.
"I've never seen a more emotional bunch of kids after game," said Astoria's 8th year head coach, who was guiding his seventh state playoff team. "There were a lot of tears out there."
Even 30-45 minutes after the final whistle sent a jubilant band of Pirates to the sideline, there were still red eyes and streaked faces on the handful of players still making their way off the field, shocked that their season had come to an end on their home pitch.
The Fishermen appeared to have the early edge, owning possession of the ball for the first five minutes as Christoph Mundt put a strong shot just outside the upper right corner of goal on a strong corner turn in the box. Astoria had three of the first four shots before the Pirates turned momentum slightly.
Countering Astoria with a couple of quick runs, Phoenix outshot the Fishermen 7-to-1 for the remainder of the half as Astoria struggled to penetrate the Pirates back line.
"We struggled with their flatback [four across defensive alignment, designed to draw offsides infractions]," said Boisvert. "We got our scouting report over the weekend and really only had a day to work on offsides traps. They closed on the ball very well and shrunk the defensive zone."
The Pirates missed on a golden opportunity when leading scorer Naoki Tsujimori, who had fired a pair of long-range rocket shots that had just missed earlier in the half, found himself with an open look at the goal from 15 yards. As many players did on this moist afternoon, the Japanese exchange student did not get a clean shot on the wet ball. The dribbler was bobbled by Astoria goalkeeper Gabe Davis, making his first start in eight games after a quadriceps tear. The ball bounced free a few yards in front of goal, but Tsujimori did not chase his shot and Davis was able to corral it.
Moments later, the Pirates had another close range opportunity and did not miss. Absalon Castillo took a feed from fellow midfielder Albaro Gonzalez and poked a low shot past Davis just inside the right post in the 32nd minute.
The Pirates had an 8-4 edge in shots on goal in the first half and had five corner kicks to Astoria's three.
The Fishermen came out with increased energy early in the second half and took it to Phoenix aggressively, but could not capitalize on a couple of early opportunities. Midfielder Josimar Macareno made a left flank run close to goal but slipped as he shot and fired into the side netting. Kyle McMullen got between a couple of Phoenix defenders but went down in the box with no foul called. Moments later, an offsides call, one of nine on the Fishermen, got coach Boisvert's dander up and he drew a yellow card.
When successfully penetrating Phoenix's flatback four defense, the Fishermen had to contend with speedy Cody Shilts. The junior sweeper nullified a number of Astoria attacks with strong tackles, using his shoulder to get under the Fishermen forwards to move them off the ball.
McMullen had Astoria's two best opportunities in the flow of play. A deep run into Phoenix's box in the first half went for nought when the senior forward carried the ball a little too long and was unable to get a strong shot off. A loose ball scramble in the second half following a misplayed shot by Phoenix goalkeeper Francisco Padilla ended up with McMullen powering the ball over the crossbar.
Astoria had numerous corner kick opportunities, but could only create two shots in ten attempts, both headers by senior sweeper Matt Brause. One shot flew wide of the mark in the first half and another glanced off the head of a Phoenix defender and over the goal.
Astoria outshot the Pirates 14-to-12 for the game and had a 10-8 edge in corner kicks, limited Phoenix to one shot off a corner. Astoria was whistled for 17 fouls to Phoenix's nine.
"They played extremely well," said Boisvert. "We certainly had some chances but we couldn't take advantage of it. We got called offsides so often."
Astoria finished the season with a 12-1-2 record. Phoenix moves on to play McLoughlin in the quarterfinals. The defending champion Pioneers defeated Stayton 3-1 and will play at Phoenix on Saturday.
posted by Matt Richert at 7:49 PM
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