Festive senior night marks end to Eagles’ girls soccer season

The group received a standing ovation from the crowd in addition to getting flowers, gifts, and balloons, prior to playing the final game of their HRV girls soccer careers. Galindo is the varsity team manager, who was unable to play this season because of an injury. Krentz was the junior varsity team manager.

The Eagles (1-7 NWOC, 2-10-2 overall) lost, 9-1, to the Kingsmen for their fifth straight loss. The Eagles, guided by second-year Coach Leonor Lopez Agiurre, fell behind 6-0 at halftime to the state playoff bound No. 14-ranked Kingsmen (3-3-2 NWOC, 5-6-3 overall).

“The seniors meant a lot to the team; they were the backbone and they’re always the ones that all the other girls look up to for inspiration and motivation,” Lopez Agiurre said. “The team would definitely not be the same if we didn’t have this group of girls.

“They always helped keep a very positive atmosphere out on the field, regardless of what the score was.”

The Eagles avoided a shutout when Rueda scored from four yards out during a scramble in front of the net in the 52nd minute. The assist came from freshman Kiera Brennan.

“It just seemed like we really needed to get a goal in the game, and I felt like I had a burst of energy when I scored,” said Rueda. “It was similar to the same kind of shots that we usually do in practice. It was kind of difficult to get control of the ball, but then when I got it and I kicked it into the net I was very happy, because it helped get all my teammates more motivated to play better.”

“It was really fun to be honored with my senior teammates and be together playing soccer with them one last time.”

The Eagles lost their three previous matches by one goal and 3-1 Oct. 24 at home to the No. 11-ranked playoff bound Hillsboro High Spartans (4-2-2 NWOC, 9-3-2 overall). Freshman Keira Brennan scored the goal for HRV.

“It definitely was a tough season, but it’s only my second year, so I’m still pretty new to the high school coaching level,” said Lopez Agiurre. “We’re at the point now where we’re definitely establishing a good team chemistry. We’re looking forward to next season when we’ll have a stronger team that will include a lot of pretty good incoming freshman, which will be crucial to our success next year.”

Hood River finished tied for eighth place with Parkrose in the nine-team NWOC. The No. 1 ranked, two-time defending state champion, Wilsonville, won the title for the third straight year.

“You can take a beating and then you can just give up, or you can take a beating and just keep fighting, and our team definitely fought hard so that we could avoid getting shutout against Putnam,” said Agiurre.

Leading scorer (seven goals), sophomore Magnolia Clermont, will return to help lead the Eagles next season along with talented and experienced juniors Madeleine Droege, Lucy Dierker, Ocean Rivera and Julia Rowan.