Summit, Newport, McLoughlin join Lakeridge as Oregon boys soccer champions: Vote for Saturday's top star
CLASS 6A
CLASS 5A
Bowen Teuber was a sophomore on Summit’s last team to win an OSAA boys soccer state championship two years ago.
That Storm team had reached the final the previous two years before finally breaking through with a 6-0 win over West Linn in the 6A title game.
The senior was the last remaining link from that team to Saturday’s squad that took the field at Sherwood High School to take on Hood River Valley, and after racing to the stands to celebrate with his fellow students following a 1-0 win, he reflected on the difference between the experiences.
“I mean, that one two years ago was unreal,” Teuber said. “But you know, it’s a bit different being a senior, being a leader on this team. I think this one means a little bit more to me.”
Another difference was the arrival of coach Tom Bunnell, who took over this year from Joe LoCascio after 14 seasons at Issaquah High School in Washington, where he retired after winning the last of his five state titles in 2017.
“I cannot say enough good things about Tom,” said Teuber, who won Intermountain Conference player of the year honors under Bunnell’s guidance. “He’s one of the greatest coaches I’ve ever had, even though it’s only been one year. You know, I love Tom. Great guy, great coach.”
Teuber recorded 13 shots in a game in which the Storm (15-1-3) outshot the Eagles 30-3 — including a 14-1 edge in shots on target.
But they could beat keeper Emmanuel Galindo only once, when senior Luca Gatto cleaned up on the far post as a corner kick pinballed around the penalty area, blasting home from 8 yards in the 14th minute.
“We put a special emphasis on goals like those throughout the season,” Gatto said of his fifth goal of the year. “Coach Tom always said that those goals are going to win us the state championship, and I ended up winning the state championship today.”
Gatto played on the JV2 team two years ago, then moved up to JV last year before finally cracking the varsity lineup this season, dreaming of finding himself in this moment.
“Like, I go to bed at night and dream about winning this game and scoring a goal in it,” he said. “And that’s exactly what came through today.”
The Eagles (13-5), who had won eight in a row — including a victory over top seed Crescent Valley in the quarterfinals — entering Saturday’s final, were bidding for their first title since going back-to-back in 2014-15.
CLASS 4A
Newport’s season started on a tragic note in August when sophomore Yael “Santi” Felix-Trejo passed away from an undiagnosed medical condition after feeling ill at a preseason practice.
His memory inspired the Cubs throughout the season, and it carried them throughout their 2-1 overtime victory over Cottage Grove in the 4A state final at Hillsboro’s Liberty High School.
“It’s still setting in, but it makes me extremely happy and proud knowing that every time we think about the Newport boys soccer state title in 2023, they will always remember Santi’s spirit,” coach Ollie Richardson said. “This is Santi’s season!”
Senior midfielder Ivan Hernandez’s blast from the top of the penalty area less than two minutes into the first overtime period broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Cubs (15-1-2) their first title since winning back-to-back crowns in 2016-17.
“We have the best fans in the state,” Richardson said. “They were loud the whole game and had our players’ backs. I am so proud of this team for how they responded to tragedy, dealt with adversity throughout the season and played consistently all year. This team is so resilient.”
Newport opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Sebastian Guzman drove into the box and finished from 10 yards.
Cottage Grove (14-3-1) answered 41 seconds later when Christian Gonzalez’s pass deflected to Rogelio Soto-Cruz, who scored from 8 yards for his 12th goal of the season.
The Lions, who were in their first state final since 2008, were without their second-leading scorer, junior forward Armando Legorreta (12 goals, seven assists), after he received a red card in their semifinal win against The Dalles.
CLASS 3A/2A/1A
It was sweet redemption for McLoughlin and senior midfielder Almikar Garcia, who scored twice to lead the Pioneers (18-0-1) past top seed Westside Christian 3-1 at Liberty High School to win their first 3A/2A/1A state title since a three-year run from 2005-07.
McLoughlin reached the final last year but fell 2-1 to Oregon Episcopal, and coach Jose Garcia said that defeat gnawed at the six seniors who returned this season.
“We made up our minds and worked hard to make it happen,” Garcia said. “It was very emotional and important.”
The Eagles (16-2) had never advanced past the quarterfinals before this year but were the top seeds after winning their first league title, beating out perennial contenders Oregon Episcopal and Catlin Gabel — both of which McLoughlin beat en route to the final.
“We were not the favorites, but that didn’t bother us a bit,” Garcia said. “We played an amazing game all the way around from start to finish. We didn’t give them time to think.”
Garcia opened the scoring eight minutes into the contest, driving into the box and beating keeper Gabe Wong from eight yards.
The Eagles conceded a penalty 4:14 into the second half that Danny Gonzalez converted. Six minutes later, Garcia got his brace off a through ball from Angel Castillo, giving him 40 goals for the season.
Westside Christian avoided the shutout on Will Ficker’s looping header off Brady Housley’s corner kick with two seconds remaining.
The Pioneers outshot the Eagles 22-8, including a 15-2 edge in shots on frame.
“I am so proud of these boys, who never give up and kept playing the whole game with intensity,” said Garcia, whose 319 wins rank No. 4 on the all-time state list.
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