Hood River Valley boys split soccer matches

HOOD RIVER — Hood River Valley’s boys soccer team split two Northwest Oregon Conference matches this past week to remain in the thick of the Class 5A state playoff race.

The Eagles are 2-2-1 and in fourth place in conference play with three regular season matches remaining. HRV (4-6-2 overall) was scheduled to play a senior night match on Oct. 21 against fifth-place Canby at Henderson Stadium before road games at Hillsboro on Oct. 23 and at Milwaukie on Oct. 28.

Hood River lost 3-1 Oct. 14 at league leader Centennial (10-2, 6-0) but bounced back with a 4-2 home win two days later against Parkrose.

The Centennial match was a physical affair with numerous stoppages by the officials. Centennial’s Jovanny Galica gave the host Eagles the early lead eight minutes into the match when he got around the left side of the HRV defense and angled a shot into the net. Anthony Hernandez tied the match for the visiting Eagles by converting a penalty kick with 20:32 remaining in the first half. Galica gave the home team the lead for good two minutes before halftime on an assist by Juan Dominguez.

Hood River never trailed against Parkrose, building a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes. Hernandez scored on a penalty kick, Kristian Gomez blasted in a 25-yard shot, and Miguel Lopez assisted on Benjamin Tama’s goal.

Parkrose scored on an own goal, as HRV keeper Emmanual Galindo made a diving save, but his deflection ricochetted off a teammate’s leg and into the back of the net. Hood River took a 4-1 lead on Elijah Kellert’s 15-yard lob shot off a set-up pass from Julian Verduzco. Parkrose closed the scoring by converting a penalty kick after a handball infraction by HRV.

The top four teams in the Northwest Oregon Conference automatically qualify for the 16-team 5A state playoffs, which begin Nov. 5. Hood River is in a good position to also earn an at large berth to state if it can stay near its current No. 12 statewide ranking.