SOCCER-MORE THAN SCORING
The biggest complaint from those that hate soccer is that there isn't enough scoring.
Well, many football fans might make that argument, but if you only look at touchdowns (chicks don't dig the field goal), an average football game doesn't have much more scoring than an average soccer game. Just looks that way because you get seven points instead of one.
Anyway, my point is that there is much to enjoy about a good soccer match even if goals are few and far between, or nonexistent in the case of last night's 0-0 tie between Astoria and Tillamook.
This was an entertaining, hard-fought, but cleanly played contest between the two best teams in the Cowapa League. It was also likely a preview of Saturday's district final when the number one and two teams in the league face off for state playoff seeds.
Tillamook, in just its second year of varsity soccer, has developed a strong program already, with skilled and talented players who work together well. Astoria has turned what looked to be a rebuilding year into another league championship and with a pair of high-scoring sophomore forwards in Jair Macareno and Sean Speer, an All-State caliber junior midfielder in Alfredo Garcia and a pair of freshmen getting some playing time, Astoria looks to be strong for the immediate future as well.
There was plenty of physical play and three yellow cards shown by a busy referee, but tempers never flared as both teams stayed focused. Both teams produced well-developed attacks and threatened deep in the opponent's defensive third, but both defenses were stout and protected their goalkeepers.
Astoria's best attack threat was nullified by a superb slide tackle in the penalty box by Tillamook defender Edgar Punta in the 33rd minute. Astoria junior Daniel Mathre had what appeared to be an unchallenged shot from inside of ten yards after receiving a pass from Macareno, but Punta came in from Mathre's right to put a boot on the ball just as he fired. Mathre got a second chance on a re-entry after the deflection, but Tillamook goalkeeper Noe Mendez, a sophomore, covered the ball just in front of the goal line, taking a Mathre cleat to the face. That resulted in the first of two yellow cards assessed to the Fishermen.
Ryan Putman sneaked a direct free kick low through traffic late in the match, forcing Mendez to make another tough save. Three of Astoria's four second half shots came on direct free kicks. Tillamook outshot the Fishermen 12-10 in the game and dominated possession in the second half after an evenly played first 40 minutes. The Cheesemakers could never create a solid shot within the goal frame and failed to take advantage of six corner kicks and five direct free kick opportunities.
Mendez and Astoria keeper Alex Reya each recorded five saves. Putman and Tillamook's Alex Ramirez were each issued yellow cards for dangerous play. Tillamook was whistled for 16 fouls to 11 on Astoria.
The Fishermen face Seaside Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. to close out the regular season. The Gulls, behind yet another goal by Chris Senick, defeated Scappoose 1-0 Monday night to secure a third place finish. Seaside will take on the winner of Scappoose against Yamhill-Carlton in a Saturday winner-to-state, loser out playoff. Astoria and Tillamook have each secured state berths and will also play off Saturday for the league's first and second seeds and a home state playoff date. Whoever comes out number one will not have an easy task, having to face either Gladstone or La Salle from the Capital Conference, two of the top teams in the state. The second place finisher will have a weaker opponent, but a long road trip to La Grande.
Well, many football fans might make that argument, but if you only look at touchdowns (chicks don't dig the field goal), an average football game doesn't have much more scoring than an average soccer game. Just looks that way because you get seven points instead of one.
Anyway, my point is that there is much to enjoy about a good soccer match even if goals are few and far between, or nonexistent in the case of last night's 0-0 tie between Astoria and Tillamook.
This was an entertaining, hard-fought, but cleanly played contest between the two best teams in the Cowapa League. It was also likely a preview of Saturday's district final when the number one and two teams in the league face off for state playoff seeds.
Tillamook, in just its second year of varsity soccer, has developed a strong program already, with skilled and talented players who work together well. Astoria has turned what looked to be a rebuilding year into another league championship and with a pair of high-scoring sophomore forwards in Jair Macareno and Sean Speer, an All-State caliber junior midfielder in Alfredo Garcia and a pair of freshmen getting some playing time, Astoria looks to be strong for the immediate future as well.
There was plenty of physical play and three yellow cards shown by a busy referee, but tempers never flared as both teams stayed focused. Both teams produced well-developed attacks and threatened deep in the opponent's defensive third, but both defenses were stout and protected their goalkeepers.
Astoria's best attack threat was nullified by a superb slide tackle in the penalty box by Tillamook defender Edgar Punta in the 33rd minute. Astoria junior Daniel Mathre had what appeared to be an unchallenged shot from inside of ten yards after receiving a pass from Macareno, but Punta came in from Mathre's right to put a boot on the ball just as he fired. Mathre got a second chance on a re-entry after the deflection, but Tillamook goalkeeper Noe Mendez, a sophomore, covered the ball just in front of the goal line, taking a Mathre cleat to the face. That resulted in the first of two yellow cards assessed to the Fishermen.
Ryan Putman sneaked a direct free kick low through traffic late in the match, forcing Mendez to make another tough save. Three of Astoria's four second half shots came on direct free kicks. Tillamook outshot the Fishermen 12-10 in the game and dominated possession in the second half after an evenly played first 40 minutes. The Cheesemakers could never create a solid shot within the goal frame and failed to take advantage of six corner kicks and five direct free kick opportunities.
Mendez and Astoria keeper Alex Reya each recorded five saves. Putman and Tillamook's Alex Ramirez were each issued yellow cards for dangerous play. Tillamook was whistled for 16 fouls to 11 on Astoria.
The Fishermen face Seaside Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. to close out the regular season. The Gulls, behind yet another goal by Chris Senick, defeated Scappoose 1-0 Monday night to secure a third place finish. Seaside will take on the winner of Scappoose against Yamhill-Carlton in a Saturday winner-to-state, loser out playoff. Astoria and Tillamook have each secured state berths and will also play off Saturday for the league's first and second seeds and a home state playoff date. Whoever comes out number one will not have an easy task, having to face either Gladstone or La Salle from the Capital Conference, two of the top teams in the state. The second place finisher will have a weaker opponent, but a long road trip to La Grande.
posted by Matt Richert at 5:48 AM
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