The Dalles celebrated the senior class on Oct. 22. Seniors Jamie Bastian Palacios, Yadhiri Cruz Torres, Madison Grant and Rowena Benjamin were honored for their contributions to the Riverhawk soccer program in a halftime ceremony.
The Dalles celebrated the senior class on Oct. 22. Seniors Jamie Bastian Palacios, Yadhiri Cruz Torres, Madison Grant and Rowena Benjamin were honored for their contributions to the Riverhawk soccer program in a halftime ceremony.
Mike Weber photo
The Dalles sophomore Lilyana Gonzalez (9) plays some defense.
Mike Weber photo
Senior defender Rowena Benjamin (33).
Mike Weber photo
The Dalles sophomore Ariana Gonzalez (11) dribbles the ball.
THE DALLES — Two-time Tri-Valley Conference (TVC) champion The Dalles finished its 2024 league soccer season unbeaten, recording a win and a tie to finish atop the TVC standings.
The Dalles (8-0-2 TVC, 11-1-2 overall) qualified for the state playoffs for a third straight year and the fifth time in the past six years. The Riverhawks, guided by 11th-year Coach Colby Tonn, won 4-0 at home on Senior Night Oct. 22 over Estacada. The Riverhawks capped their 10-game schedule with a 1-1 tie Oct. 24 at Molalla. Ariana Gonzalez scored a goal off an assist by Natalia Elias to help the Riverhawks earn the tie.
The Riverhawks will play a first-round home game in the 16-team state playoffs Nov. 6 versus a yet-to-be-determined opponent.
“Our seniors all played well, and we knew it would be a tough game, but it helped to get a couple of goals early. We’re just continuing to play great team defense [0.5 goals against average],” Tonn said of the Estacada game.
Seniors Jamie Bastian Palacios, Yadhiri Cruz Torres, Madison Grant and Rowena Benjamin were honored for their contributions to the Riverhawk soccer program in a halftime ceremony.
“Senior Night was really fun, and it feels great to be two-time TVC champions,” said Torres, a goalkeeper and midfielder who had one assist versus Estacada. “At the beginning of the season, I knew that our team was capable of having a repeat this year. Our ultimate goal is to win the state title though and so our job isn’t finished yet.”
Bastian Palacios, a defender, said: “We made it to the quarterfinals of the playoffs last year and so we’re hoping to go a little further this season and reach the semis or maybe even the finals.”
The Dalles beat Estacada for the sixth time in the past three years. The “Sister Act” duo of sophomore twins Ariana (goal) and Lilyana Gonzalez (two goals) helped lead the Riverhawks. Midfielders Gonzalez and junior Natalia Elias each scored to give the Riverhawks the lead minutes into the contest.
The Riverhawks extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 47th minute when forward Ariana Gonzalez scored on a shot from 10 yards out that eluded Ranger senior goalkeeper Kenadie Reese (10 saves). Lilyana Gonzalez fired in a shot from 23 yards out in the 52nd minute with the ball soaring into the back of the net.
The Riverhawks limited the Rangers to two shots on goal, each saved by The Dalles sophomore goalkeeper Olivia Prado. “We’re really locking things down and we’re looking forward to the playoffs,” she said. “It feels pretty good to be two-time league champions and it’s awesome that we’re having such a very successful season. I think we’re going to go to the finals and win the state championship.”
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