Boys soccer playoffs: Early goals power Lincoln to 2-1 win over Cleveland
With the success of the Portland Interscholastic League boys soccer teams over the years, it’s been no surprise to see two of the matched up come playoff time.
And that was the case again Wednesday, Nov. 5 with No. 10 Cleveland on the road to play No. 7 Lincoln.
The Cardinals won the regular season meeting 1-0 on Sept. 30, and they took the match again with a 2-1 win, advancing to the state quarterfinals.
Lincoln wasted no time taking command of the match, scoring in the second minute when Hersom Regalado got a wide open look on the near side that he tucked into the top corner.
“The most important thing was to start with a lot of energy, because that’s what we were missing in some parts of the season,” Lincoln senior Merlin Danzmayr said. “We started off with a bunch of energy and we got the result.”
Danzmayr, the Co-Player of the Year in the PIL, didn’t let up and pushed the tempo with Regalado down the near side constantly in the first half.
That pressure led to another chance that wasn’t fully cleared by Cleveland, and landed at the feet of senior Jack Muirhead at the top of the box.
The senior unloaded from there and beat the keeper to make it 2-0 Cardinals only 12 minutes into the match.
“I love playing with them,” Danzmayr said. “I feel I can just pass them the ball and I know it’s going to be a goal.”
Cleveland wasn’t going out without a fight as it started to find some runs toward the end of the first half.
The Warriors had a deep run to open the second half and kept that momentum going as Lincoln dropped back more to settle in defensively.
Finally, in the 65th minute, Oscar Johnson sent in a corner kick that got by the Lincoln goalkeeper and into the middle of the box. There, Cole Christensen hammered it into the back of the net to cut the Lincoln lead to 2-1.
But the Cardinals held firm from there, only allowing one deep shot from Johnson the rest of the way to hang on for the 2-1 win.
“We changed our formation, I’m playing more inside now,” Danzmayr said of the adjustments from the first match. “We have other people on the wings, and it worked out well.”
Up next for the Cardinals is another rematch, this one against No. 2 West Linn who survived a scare from No. 18 Barlow on Wednesday. The quarterfinals matchup will be Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Cardinals and Lions played to a scoreless draw back on Sept. 18 at West Linn. This time around, someone will have to win, and the Cardinals plan on it being them.
“Whoever it is, it doesn't matter,” Danzmayr said. “We’re going to bring our best and that’s hopefully enough.”
More results
No. 5 Grant rolled in a 5-0 win over No. 12 South Salem. Five different Generals scored with Henry Wines getting the party started, followed by Tommy Roberts, Rowan Spain, Evan Hamilton and finally Arly Hindery. Travis Lobdell also had two big saves to hold on for the shutout.
No. 11 Ida B. Wells scored with exactly one minute left in the match to take down the reigning state runnerups in No. 6 McMinnville 1-0.
Lucas Motsko sent in a corner kick that bounced around in the box and was eventually cleaned up by Crey Weiber.
With 25 seconds left, the Grizzlies had an open look on the goal after they got around Guardians goalkeeper Luke Davis, but Davis came diving back into the play and made the save with his chest to preserve the victory.
And finally, Jamaury Axley got a ball in the box from Thomas Taylor, turned to his left and fired for the lone goal in No. 4 Central Catholic’s 1-0 win over No. 13 Sherwood. The goal came in the 63rd minute as the Rams defended the rest of the way to knock out the Bowmen.
Boys and girls quarterfinals (All games Saturday, Nov. 8)
No. 5 Grant boys at No. 4 Central Catholic, TBD
No. 11 Ida B. Wells boys at No. 3 Beaverton, TBD
No. 7 Lincoln boys at No. 2 West Linn, 4 p.m.
No. 6 Grant girls at No. 3 Lincoln, 4:30 p.m.
