Hood River earns berth in boys soccer playoffs

The 5A playoffs begin Nov. 1.

Hillsboro (3-11 overall, 3-4 NWOC) made Hood River earn its win, and then some. HRV outshot the Spartans, 22-6, but the home team was much more efficient in its offensive half of the field.

HRV took a 1-0 lead less than six minutes in when senior co-captain Edgar Lachino blasted a shot off a rebound into the right side of the goal. Hillsboro tied the match a few minutes later, but HRV went back in front before halftime on Aran Garcia’s goal.

Kevin Jimenez scored on Hillsboro’s lone shot on goal in the first 20-plus minutes of the second half after a poor clearance set up the Spartan junior unmarked in the middle of the field from 25 yards away.

Hood River answered with the game-winner. Garcia sent a crossing pass from the left side toward the middle, where Julian Lara one-touched a shot past the Hillsboro keeper.