Hood River boys fall to Central Catholic in home soccer match

Led by third-year head Coach Alvaro Lara, the Eagles (1-3-1) battled throughout the game against a consistent performance from Central Catholic (1-1).

“Not the result we wanted, but I would say overall their effort was there,” Lara said after the game. “What we wanted to get out of this game, given what happened last game, was we definitely just wanted to go in and get some good momentum going forward into the season.”

Hood River was coming off a 3-2 loss Sept. 9 at Portland’s Roosevelt.

The Central Catholic game was played in windy conditions, with gusts in the 25-mph range. Senior captain and goalkeeper Emmanuel Galindo got things going defensively for the Eagles with a solid save near the 35-minute mark. Teammate Rohan Gutierrez followed that with a great shot on goal 10 minutes later, but Central Catholic’s Jack Harrington knocked the ball away.

Ryan Platt’s goal gave the Rams a 1-0 halftime lead and they kept their foot on the gas in the second half. HRV’s Galindo continued his great defensive effort by saving two on shots on goal.

But Will Cratsenberg would eventually stretch Central Catholic’s lead to 2-0 at the 33-minute mark. Thomas Taylor added the third Ram goal in the final minute.

Hood River’s Anthony Hernandez had a good chance to score at the 23rd-minute mark of the second half, but his shot missed the mark.

Lara said his team has been consistent in one area, despite the 3-0 loss. “I think the effort, right?” Lara said when asked what his team can take away from the loss. “I think we’re starting to find our shape. I think we’re starting to understand what it is that we want to get out of the season. So, aside from the result, I’d say the effort and the heart of these guys is basically what we’re trying to improve on.”