HOOD RIVER — There is certainty within the traditionally strong Hood River Valley (HRV) boys soccer program.
First, that the Eagles will field another competitive team, again this season under third-year head Coach Alvaro Lara and his assistants Nathan Ponce, Jose Lara, and Jose Baeza. Coach Lara and his staff are 22-9-4 in two seasons; the Eagles were the Class 5A state runner-up in 2023.
Next, HRV will load up its non-league schedule with competitive opponents. That started Aug. 28, when the Eagles played at 6A Lincoln of Portland. The Cardinals were a state semifinalist a season ago and they return the nucleus of that team — as attested by the 7-0 win over HRV. Of Hood River’s seven nonleague foes, six played in the 6A state soccer playoffs last season.
And finally, once the Eagles get their legs under them — usually about a month into the season — Hood River will begin a steady rise up the 5A ranks and be in the Northwest Oregon Conference (NWOC)title mix and state playoff hunt. HRV has been a state quarterfinal team nine of the past 12 seasons the playoffs have been held.
If the rigorous non-league schedule doesn’t test HRV, the juggernaut of the NWOC will. The Eagles finished the 2024 season with a 9-4-4 record; two of the four losses were to 6A schools in non-league matches. The other two losses were 2-0 to eventual 5A semifinalist Wilsonville, and 3-2 (4-2 on penalty kicks) to NWOC foe La Salle Prep in the state quarterfinals.
HRV had beaten the eventual state champion Falcons, 3-0, in a league match. The NWOC flexed its collective muscle in the 2024 state playoffs, as four teams — Centennial, Wilsonville, La Salle Prep, and HRV — advanced to the eight-team quarterfinal round.
Among the returnees for HRV are senior captains Emmanuel Galindo, Solomon Parson, and Geovanni Macias. They are three of nine seniors on the varsity roster, which also includes returning seniors Sebastian Clarkson and Elijah Kellert. Galindo was a second-team, all-league pick in 2024, while Macias and Parson were honorable mention all-conference.
Hood River’s next two matches are at home: Sept. 2 vs. Mountainside; and Sept. 4 against Sandy.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented