Hawk soccer trips up Pendleton, 2-0

Both teams played up and down the field for a majority of the first half, creating a number of chances, but both defenses and goalkeepers stood up to keep the contest scoreless at the half.

The Riverhawk coach said The Dalles started strong in the areas of ball control and movement, applying pressure on Pendleton for the first 15 minutes of the game.

They created a couple of good chances but failed to convert those into points. Pendleton fought its way back into the game showing determination and effort to match the good start of The Dalles.

In the second stanza, The Dalles opened up play much like the first by applying pressure. That added pressure paid dividends when Pedro Lopez found himself alone behind the Pendleton defense for a chance.

He took advantage with a run down the right side of the field.

He fired a pass across the face of goal, just inside the far post to open up the scoring and give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

After some back-and-forth action over the next 10 minutes, The Dalles added an insurance marker on a free kick.

Brandon Bustamante took the kick putting it directly on the net, and the Pendleton goalkeeper was positioned for the stop, but the ball caromed off his hands and chest and dribbled inside the post for the second goal, putting the game out of reach.

TD was able to cut short a long losing streak, but the play of the defense and timely scoring gives Burkart reasons for optimism in the final four games.

TD (2-8 overall, 1-1 league) is still just one game behind first-place and Hood River Valley.

“We are still lacking in consistency in our play,” Burkart added. “The team is struggling with numbers due to injury and a lack of production in the classroom. It is tough to put together a varsity and junior varsity lineup at the same time. We have work to do both on and off the field.”

The 27th ranked Riverhawks host No. 1-ranked Hood River Valley (8-0-2, 2-0) at 4 p.m. Tuesday.