Previews
BOYS SOCCER
Cottage Grove Lions (8-3, #7)
■ Kicking off: After getting their groove back, the Lions are in a strong position in their last league games before playoffs. Up next, they’ll hit the road to Junction City to meet the Tiger, whom they iced 9-1 earlier in the season. Junior Emmanuel Rea and striker Armando Legorreta continue to be key for CG’s offense and goalkeeper Josh Burner leads the defense.
Creswell Bulldogs (10-2-1, #10)
■ Kicking off: The Bulldog finished their season strong and earned a No.10 seed in the Class 3A playoff bracket with its 10-2-1 regular season record.
Springfield Millers (4-5-1, #16)
■ Kicking off: The Millers travel to Eagle Point to battle the Eagles. In 2023, the Millers edged out the Eagles 2-1 and the Millers have found their confidence after winning all their league games so far. Springfield’s Leo Rivera and Jack Sayre remain important players for the Millers.
Thurston Colts (3-7, #26)
■ Kicking off: The Colts head to Crater this Saturday to duel the Comets. This may be a heated rematch after the two teams ended in a tie in 23’. They’ll need the extra push from Cole Woodman and Nano Martinez, and the talents of Tucker Fitzpatrick, Tyler Raven, and Noah Zanotto.
GIRLS SOCCER
Cottage Grove Lions (3-5-2, #23)
■ Kicking off: The Lions go to Junction City tonight to rematch the Tigers. Earlier in the season, they left on a testy tie of 2-2. Despite the Tigers’ home turf advantage, if the Lions want to edge out the Tigers this time, it’ll be from the efforts of Brielle Engle, Emmy Bickford, and Maddie France.
Pleasant Hill Billies (9-2-3, #11)
■ Kicking off: The Billies ended their season yesterday in a strong position, earning the No.11 seed in the Class 3A playoff bracket. They’ll be fierce contenders in the playoffs.
Creswell Bulldogs (7-3-3, #12)
■ Kicking off: The Bulldogs go to Cascade Christian this Tuesday. In their last game of the season, keep your eyes peeled for the offensive standouts of Mila Nguyen, Elliette Kinney, and Kendal Durflinger. Defensive standouts are Jordyn Marklin, Raelee Green, and 2023 1st-team all-league goalie Kylie Leonard.
Recaps
VOLLEYBALL
■ Cottage Grove lost a tight game of 3-2 against Junction City on Monday night.
■ Creswell swept their last game of the season 3-0 against Harrisburg with scores of 25–18, 25–7, and 25-18. Leaders for Creswell: Piper Hanson with 18 kills, 12 digs, and two aces; Anna Davis with 4 kills, 7 digs, 2 stuffed blocks, and 3 aces; Teighlor Nunez with 38 assists and 2 aces; and Vika Gabrio with 10 kills, 8 digs, and 2 aces.
■ Pleasant Hill handled Dayton in their last scheduled game of the season 3-0 last Friday. Leaders for Pleasant Hill: Senior middle Ruby Jackson with 10 kills, 10 kills; senior libero Emily Krauss with 16 digs, 2 aces; senior setter Claire Crawford with 26 assists, 9 digs, 4 aces, 5 kills; and Senior outside Cheyenne Green 8 kills, 5 aces, 13 digs.
■ Springfield beat Eagle Point last Thursday 3-0.
■Thurston competed in the Clearwater Classic last weekend. Final scores: Sprague 2, Thurston 0 with Addi Nelson at 9 kills and 7 digs; Caldera 1, Thurston 1 with Addi Nelson at 2 aces and 9 kills and Emma Efseaff with 4 aces, 4 kills and 4 digs; Thurston 2, West Albany 0 with Addi Nelson at 2 aces, 14 kills and 6 digs, Emma Efseaff 2 aces, 10 kills and 4 digs and Amilyiah Proctor with 1 kill, 12 assists and 5 digs; Thurston 2, Summit 0, with Addi Nelson at 1 ace, 8 kills and 5 digs, Emma Efseaff with 9 kills and 5 digs and Amilyiah Proctor with 3 aces, 9 assists, 2 kills and 5 digs; Crater 2, Thurston 0.
GIRLS SOCCER
■Marist Catholic beat Cottage Grove last Thursday on their home turf.
■ Creswell handled Elmira 6-0 Monday night. Goals: 2 from Mila Nguyen, 2 from Elliott Kinney, 1 from Jordyn Marklin, 1 from Kendall Durflinger, and 1 from Kylie Leonard. Assists: 2 Mila Nguyen, 3 Elliott Kinney. Kylie Leonard: 10 saves.
■ Pleasant Hill dealt with Siulsaw 4-0 last Wednesday. Both senior captain Tessa Hammond and sophomore Zoe Dilts helped control the mid-field well and both came away with a pair of goals and an assist. Junior goalkeeper, Kenna Caldwell-Copeland needed two saves to keep the Vikings off the board.
■ Springfield lost to Ashland 3-2 last Saturday,
■ Thurston lost to tough league opponent North Eugene / Triangle Lake 3-0.
BOYS SOCCER
■ Creswell finished their last game of the season 2-1 against Elmira.
■ Pleasant Hill lost to Elmira 4-1 last Wednesday.
■ Springfield beat tough league opponent Ashland 3-2 last Saturday.
■ Thurston lost to North Eugene 3-1 last Wednesday.