Jesuit keeps their championship run alive after winning the semi-final game against McNary on Cronin Field this past Tuesday.
The Saders had high hopes going into the game, hungry to get back into another State Championship game after losing last year’s Final in overtime to Lakeridge. Determined, the team pulled through after a long-fought battle mainly in the midfield against the McNary Celtics.
“It was a tough battle and both teams played well but in the end, we were able to put away our chances and keep our calm when the game got intense,” said Jesuit’s Coach Skipper after the huge win.
With winter weather, the game started under Cronin’s lights with rain pouring down on the players and spectators. The high pace described the first 25 minutes of the game as McNary had a quick press and a lockdown defense. Despite these attributes, Jesuit found a way to score in the fifth minute of the game, sending an early message to the McNary Celtics. This occurred as the ball switched through the right side to the left with senior captain Diego Nieves threading a ball into sophomore Vala Saghafi who smacked it into the back post.
The next 30 minutes would be an uphill battle for Jesuit as they struggled to hold onto possession. In these minutes the Celtics won several corners and free kicks in the attacking half allowing them opportunity after opportunity. Two of these chances ended up in the hands of junior goalkeeper Mason Fox who had made massive game-changing saves to keep the Crusaders up 1-0. Senior Ryan Jack also had a goal-line clearance to keep the Celtics scoreless.
Tired of being on defense, Jesuit’s offense stretched the field and began putting McNary back under pressure. With five minutes left and no real good looks, Nieves decided to pull a shot from 35 yards out which knuckled and rocketed into the top right corner scoring a screaming goal to put Jesuit up 2-0. This ended the half and left the Saders confident in their ability to finish out the game.
“Once I hit it I just knew it was going in, ” Nieves said. “It was my best high school goal ever.”
The second half could be described as a midfield battle with almost the whole 40 minutes being played in the middle of the field. Both teams, with seemingly endless energy, fought hard in the midfield winning headers and second balls in an attempt to keep possession. In reality, no one was able to hold onto the ball as it pin-balled between teams.
Finally, Jesuit settled down and held the ball with around 20 minutes left in the 2-0 game. With this, the Crusaders created several opportunities with shots coming from Diego and Vala and crosses in from Caden Hoppes. Despite the powerful offense, no goals came from them in the second half which gave the Celtics a glimpse of hope.
McNary, unwilling to go home, strung together a couple of passes before hitting a long ball to forward Jay Flores who was able to stripe it past Fox and relight the intensity of the game.
Roaring with chants, the McNary fans helped to energize their team with only fifteen minutes left on the clock.
“I told the team after the goal to keep the ball upfield, play through the wings, waste time up at the attacking corners, and stay calm,” said Fox when reflecting on his attempt to motivate the team to the finish line.
Jesuit, understanding the time and score of the game, played a little more defensively and was able to keep their calm in the middle of the heat with defenders Wes Colling and Carlos Botiva keeping the ball out of the Sader’s defending half.
The final whistle blew, and the Saders celebrated their hard-fought victory and their return to the OSAA State Championship game where they’ll face the number four McMinnville.
Photo: Skipper’s halftime talk
Credit: Ryan Hoppes (picturethispdx)
