HSSZ: Sports Capsules – Week of Oct. 12

PREVIEWS

Cottage Grove Lions: 4-10, ranked #13
■ Setting up: Despite only four wins on the season, the Lions remain ranked No. 13 due to an incredibly tough schedule, with nine of their losses against top-10 teams. It’s more of the same this week as the Lions head to No. 1 Marshfield’s tournament before traveling to No. 2 Marist to end the regular season Tuesday.

Creswell Bulldogs: 12-5, ranked #6
■ Setting up: Creswell heads to La Pine next Tuesday as the Bulldogs continue their quest for a top-three spot in the MVC. Senior Kimberlee Kelsey has been a great setter for the Bulldogs this season, setting up outside hitters Piper Hanson and Lizabelle Osborn.

Pleasant Hill Billies: 19-3, ranked #2
■ Setting up: The Billies have their final away game of the season on Thursday at Harrisburg. After a loss at Sisters on Monday, the most likely result is a second-place finish in the MVC for Pleasant Hill.

Springfield Millers: 9-12, ranked #16
■ Setting up: The Millers host No. 11 Churchill this Thursday in a matchup between two teams in the thick of the playoff race. Churchill has played top teams close this season, so Springfield needs solid play from seniors Jacey Smith and Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam to keep pace in a crowded Midwestern League.

Thurston Colts: 14-4, ranked #2
■ Setting up: The Colts continue to climb the rankings and are No. 2 in the state, behind defending champs Crescent Valley. Thurston’s only match this week is against a struggling North Eugene team.

RECAPS

■ Creswell hosted rival No. 1 Pleasant Hill on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The Bulldogs fell 3-0 to the Billies for the second time this season. This time, Creswell clawed back from a 23-16 deficit in the first set to force extra points. Pleasant Hill pulled out the first-set thriller 33-31 and won the next two sets 25-14 and 25-19.
Leaders for Creswell: Lizabelle Osborn with 17 digs and 16 kills, Kimberlee Kelsey with 10 digs, and Piper Hanson with 13 digs and 8 kills. Despite the loss, Creswell coach Anna Baltrusch was much happier with the team’s performance than the last match against Pleasant Hill. “I liked that we were swinging, because last time they were being real tentative with how they were playing. Tonight we were swinging, and I told them, ‘You don’t want to play to keep from losing, you want to play to win,’” Baltrusch said. “They were aggressive, and they kept pushing. So I love that.” Read the full story on Creswell-Pleasant Hill volleyball at Chronicle1909.com

■ Cottage Grove went 0-2, losing to No. 1 Marshfield and No. 4 North Bend. A young Lions squad took North Bend to five sets, impressive against a state contender.

■ Pleasant Hill beat rival No. 6 Creswell on Tuesday, Elmira on Thursday, winning its own tournament on Saturday, and falling to No. 1 Sisters on Monday. Cheyenne Green had 17 kills and 12 digs again vs. Creswell and Anna Crawford had 7 kills. In the PH tournament, Green totaled 49 kills, Ruby Jackson added 36 kills, and Claire Crawford had 106 assists.

■ Springfield swept North Eugene on Thursday before competing at the Pleasant Hill tournament. Jacey Smith led the way against NE with 9 kills and 15 digs, while Danaeja Romero-Ah Sam had 6 kills, 7 assists, and 11 digs. At the PH tournament, Smith had 23 kills, and freshman Sailor Hall had 18 kills.

■ Thurston kept its perfect league season going with a sweep over Ashland and a five-set win at No. 11 Churchill. Julia Cook had 16 kills and 6 aces in the win over Churchill, while Emily Buller had 42 assists.

PREVIEWS

Cottage Grove: 9-2, ranked #7
■ Kicking off: Cottage Grove heads to North Bend this Thursday as the Lions try to continue their undefeated season in Sky-Em play. Goalie Jace Meyer and the defense continue to have a stellar season, not allowing more than 1 goal in any single game in over a month.

Creswell: 8-2, ranked #5
■ Kicking off: Creswell tries to bounce back after stumbling against Santiam Christian last week, losing its first MVC game of the season. The Bulldogs still have a shot at the conference title, but need a win this Thursday at Crosshill Christian (0-7-1). So. Brady Pratt has been a key contributor with 13 assists – fourth-most in the state.

Pleasant Hill: 3-6-1, ranked #38
■ Kicking off: Pleasant Hill travels to Elmira tonight to face the team directly above them in conference standings. A postseason berth is almost out of the question for the Billies, but look for senior captain Ryan Lane and the defense to continue their midseason improvments.

Springfield: 1-8, ranked #28
■ Kicking off: Springfield earned its first win of the season last week with an upset over No. 19 Eagle Point. A win in their Midwestern League opener should give the Millers confidence as they play Churchill next Tuesday. 

Thurston: 3-3-2, ranked #14
■ Kicking off: Thurston heads to No. 19 Eagle Point on Saturday in a key Midwestern League matchup. Goalkeeper Carter Brooks has allowed only one goal in the past two outings and has a chance to earn another shutout against an Eagle Point squad that has managed only 7 goals in seven games this season.

RECAPS

■ Cottage Grove’s only game this week was Monday against Marshfield. The Lions won 3-0, moving to 5-0 in Sky-Em League play this season. Hayes Valley, Armando Legorreta and Emmanuel Rea were the goal-scorers for the Lions.

■ Creswell went 1-1 on the week, beating Siuslaw 4-2 before falling to Santiam Christian 3-1. Galen Armitage had 2 goals against Siuslaw, and Brady Pratt had a goal and 3 assists. Pratt scored the only goal in the loss to Santiam, and goalkeeper Deacon Edwards had 25 combined saves between the two games.

■ Pleasant Hill went 1-1 in conference play, losing to Santiam Christian 3-0 before bouncing back with a 1-0 win at La Pine. 

■ Springfield got its first win of the season last Saturday as the Millers opened Midwestern League play. Springfield hosted No. 19 Eagle Point and won 2-1.

■ Thurston had its final non-league game of the season, beating Canby 6-1 last Wednesday. Carlos Vega led the way with a hat trick, and the Colts got a goal each from Yurem Martinez, Cole Woodman, and Nano Martinez.

PREVIEWS

Cottage Grove: 2-6-2, ranked #25
■ Kicking off: The Lions have struggled in a tough Sky-Em League, but have been helped by a great season from freshman Autumn Leach.

Creswell: 8-2, ranked #11
■ Kicking off: Creswell heads to No. 3 Sisters in a must-win game if the Bulldogs hope to stay alive in the conference race. Creswell lost 2-0 last time out against Sisters, and needs good play from senior Tailey Carson this time around to pull off an upset.

Pleasant Hill: 6-4-1, ranked #20
■ Kicking off: The Billies are in prime position to earn an automatic playoff bid in the MVC thanks to the play of Tressa Geyer, who has 13 goals in the season – 13th best in the state. Pleasant Hill heads to No. 10 Central Linn next Tuesday in an important conference game.

Springfield: 1-7-1, ranked #25
■ Kicking off: The Millers and first-year head coach Alyssa Hinojosa head to Churchill on Tuesday in a rematch of a 3-3 draw in non-league play. Lydia Stewart had two goals in that game.

Thurston: 3-3-3, ranked #11
■ Kicking off: The Colts play host to No. 3 North Eugene next Thursday in a matchup between the top-two teams in the Midwestern League last season – and maybe again this season. Forward Macy Taylor will be key for Thurston, which has struggled to score at times this year.

RECAPS

■ Cottage Grove got its first Sky-Em League win on Monday with a 3-0 win against Marshfield. The Lions got goals from Edie Gibson Becker, Abbi Hemenway, and Emmy Bickford. Jaylee Lima and Zoey Knutson each had an assist on the night for Cottage Grove, which held possession for 78% of the win.

■ Creswell had a 5-2 win over Siuslaw before falling 1-0 at No. 10 Central Linn. The loss dropped Creswell to third in the MVC, though the Bulldogs have nearly clinched a playoff berth already.

■ Pleasant Hill lost 5-0 at No. 3 Sisters before grabbing a 2-2 draw at Santiam Christian. Tessa Hammond and Trinity Smead each scored against SC, Lydia Whitney had an assist, and goalie Kenna Caldwell had 12 saves.

■ Springfield had a tough schedule last week, falling to No. 3 North Eugene 8-0 and No. 19 Eagle Point 3-1.

■ Thurston’s sole game last week was a 0-0 draw at No. 5 Canby in its final non-league game. The Colts now begin their league title defense.

RESULTS

FOOTBALL
Friday, Oct. 6
■ Marist 50, Cottage Grove 0
■ Sisters 41, Creswell 6
■ La Pine 26, Pleasant Hill 25
■ Springfield 21, Churchill 8
■ Thurston 47, Eagle Point 6

VOLLEYBALL
Tuesday, Oct. 3
■ Pleasant Hill 3, Creswell 0 (33-31, 25-14, 25-19)
■ Thurston 3, Ashland 0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-12)
Wednesday, Oct. 4
■ Creswell 3, Sutherlin 0 (25-16, 25-10, 25-7)
Thursday, Oct. 5
■ Marshfield 3, Cottage Grove 0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-16)
■ Pleasant Hill 3, Elmira 0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-13)
■ Springfield 3, North Eugene 0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-23)
■ Thurston 3, Churchill 0 (21-25, 25-11, 25-20, 20-25, 15-9)
Saturday, Oct. 7
■ Pleasant Hill 2, North Douglas 0 (25-14, 25-13)
■ Pleasant Hill 2, Scio 0 (25-15, 25-8)
■ Pleasant Hill 2, Burns 0 (25-18, 25-16)
■ Cascade Christian 2, Springfield 1 (25-22, 22-25, 15-11)
Monday, Oct. 9
■ North Bend 3, Cottage Grove 2 (22-25, 25-17, 25-12, 22-25, 15-10)
■ Creswell 3, Siuslaw 0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-17)
■ Sisters 3, Pleasant Hill 1 (25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 25-21)

BOYS SOCCER
Tuesday, Oct. 3
■ Creswell 4, Siuslaw 2
■ Santiam Chr. 3, Pleasant Hill 0
Wednesday, Oct. 4
■ North Eugene 5, Springfield 1
■ Thurston 6, Canby 1
Thursday, Oct. 5
■ Santiam Chr. 3, Creswell 1
■ Pleasant Hill 1, La Pine 0
Saturday, Oct. 7
■ Springfield 2, Eagle Point 1
Monday, Oct. 9
■ Cottage Grove 3, Marshfield 0

GIRLS SOCCER
Tuesday, Oct. 3
■ Creswell 5, Siuslaw 2
■ Sisters 5, Pleasant Hill 0
■ North Eugene 8, Springfield 0
Wednesday, Oct. 4
■ Thurston 0, Canby 0
Thursday, Oct. 5
■ Central Linn 1, Creswell 0
■ Pleasant Hill 2, Santiam Christian 2
Saturday, Oct. 7
■ Eagle Point 3, Springfield 1
Monday, Oct. 9
■ Cottage Grove 3, Marshfield 0

SCHEDULES

FOOTBALL
Friday, Oct. 13
(All games 7 p.m.)
■ Cottage Grove at Stayton
■ Creswell at Harrisburg
■ Sisters at Pleasant Hill
■ Willamette at Springfield
■ South Eugene at Thurston

VOLLEYBALL
Thursday, Oct. 12
■ Pleasant Hill at Harrisburg, 6:30 p.m.
■ Churchill at Springfield, 6:45 p.m.
■ North Eugene at Thurston, 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14
■ Cottage Grove at Marshfield Tournament, 8 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 16
■ Mountain View at Springfield, 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
■ Creswell at La Pine, 6 p.m.
■ Cottage Grove at Marist Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19
■ Creswell at Elmira, 6:30 p.m.
■ Siuslaw at Pleasant Hill, 6:30 p.m.
■ Springfield at Thurston, 6:45 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER
Thursday, Oct. 12
■ Creswell at Crosshill Christian, 4:30 p.m.
■ Cottage Grove at North Bend, 5 p.m.
■ Pleasant Hill at Elmira, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14
■ Thurston at Eagle Point, 1 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16
■ Junction City at Cottage Grove, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
■ Churchill at Springfield, 5 p.m.
■ Pleasant Hill at Sisters, 6 p.m.
■ North Eugene at Thurston, 6 p.m.
■ Elmira at Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18
■ Cottage Grove at Marist Catholic, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19
■ Pleasant Hill at Central Linn, 4:30 p.m.
■ Creswell at Sisters, 6 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER
Thursday, Oct. 12
■ Siuslaw at Pleasant Hill, 4:30 p.m.
■ La Pine at Creswell, 6 p.m.
■ Cottage Grove at North Bend, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14
■ Creswell at Sisters, 2:30 p.m.
■ Thurston at Eagle Point, 3 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16
■ Junction City at Cottage Grove, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 17
■ Pleasant Hill at Central Linn, 4:30 p.m.
■ Springfield at Churchill, 6 p.m.
■ Elmira at Creswell, 6:30 p.m.
■ North Eugene at Thurston, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18
■ Cottage Grove at Marist Catholic, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19
■ Santiam Christian at Creswell, 6 p.m.
■ Pleasant Hill at Elmira, 6:30 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRY
Saturday, Oct. 14
■ Cottage Grove, Creswell, Pleasant Hill, at The CG Bramble Scramble, 1:15 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18
■ Pleasant Hill, Springfield, Thurston at Umpqua Invite, Roseburg, 4:40 p.m.