The magical run came to an end for the Phoenix boys' soccer team on Saturday. After winning three straight matches in overtime, the Pirates weren't able to force extra minutes in a 1-0 loss to Ontario in the OSAA 4A Championship at Liberty High School in Hillsboro. Playing in a title match for the first time since 2011, Ontario struck early when Jaaziel Chevez broke free and found the back of the net in the fifth minute of the match. The Tigers never scored again but didn't need to, blanking the Pirates on the way to the title. Phoenix outshot Ontario 10-7 but managed only two shots on goal in the match. The Pirates had numerous opportunities in the second half but weren't able to find the net as Ontario goalie Martin Benites recorded a shutout. Phoenix finished the second 10-7-1, winning nine of its final 12 matches. The Pirates returned to the state title match for the first time since 2020 when they finished second during the Covid-shortened season.  

The Cardiac Kids did it again!! For the third straight match, the Phoenix boys' soccer team emerged in overtime, this time punching it's ticket to the 4A State Championship match with a 2-1 win over Henley in penalty kicks on November 9. Originally scheduled for November 8, the match was postponed one day due to travel conditions. When it did come to fruition, the third meeting between the teams this season was a classic, ending regulation tied at 1-1. The teams played 20 minutes of overtime with no score before the Pirates outscored Henley 4-3 in penalty kicks to advance. Phoenix is 10-6-1 on the season. The Pirates were 0-4-1 after playing a rugged non-conference schedule before posting a 6-2 mark in the Skyline Conference, their only losses coming to Henley. This time around, Phoenix scored first when Jenner Selden poked a loose ball past Henley goalie Jake Bruner after a shot by  Antonio Camargo. Henley countered to tie the match in the 73rd minute, forcing the extra time. Goalie Julius Bolstad and a defense anchored by Dominic Crenshaw kept the Hornets at bay during the 20 minutes of overtime before the match went to penalty kicks. Phoenix converted four of its five opportunities while Bolstad turned back two Henley attempts to seal the win. PHS will face Ontario, which emerged from the other side of the bracket with three wins at home. The Tigers are 13-1 on the season and have outscored opponents 46-8. They have won 12 straight matches since a 2-1 loss to Henley on Sept. 2.  Kickoff time is set for 3:30 pm at Liberty High School in Hillsboro.

The Phoenix boys' soccer team wasted little time taking control of the situation on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Jenner Selden scored early in the match and the Pirates never looked back in a 4-1 win over Cottage Grove in a 4A play-in contest. The win advances Phoenix to the first round of the OSAA State Tournament, PHS will take on Philomath on Tuesday, Nov. 1 beginning at 6:30 pm at Crescent Valley High School in Corvallis. Antonio Camargo added a goal in the first half before Selden and Tanner Norris both scored in the second half. Cottage Grove managed a goal in the final minutes of the match to break up the shutout for goalie Julius Bolstad. The Pirates are 7-6-1 and finished the regular season ranked 12th in the state. Philomath is 9-0-4 and ranked third. Tuesday's winner will advance to a state quarterfinal game on Saturday.   

After an uneven ride through the regular season, the Phoenix boys' soccer team is looking for smooth sailing in the post-season. The Pirates complete Skyline Conference play on Oct. 24, dropping a 3-0 decision to Henley in a battle for the conference title. The visiting Hornets scored in the opening minutes of the match and kept Phoenix at bay to complete a sweep of the season series between the teams. Phoenix finished 6-2 in conference play and 6-6-1 overall. Playing a challenging non-league schedule, the Pirates were 0-4-1 in the early season before getting untracked in conference play. PHS enters the post-season ranked 12th in the state. The Pirates earned a home play-in game for their efforts and will host Cottage Grove in a 3:30 pm start on Saturday. Oct. 30. The Lions are 6-5-3 on the season and ranked 18th. The winner of Saturday's match will advance to the OSAA State Tournament, which opens on Tuesday vs. an opponent and site to be determined.  Admission to Saturday's play-in match is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for non-Phoenix-Talent School District students. The match will be streamed on tablerocksports.net

Jenner Selden found the goal in the final minutes of play as Phoenix scored a 2-1 win over Hidden Valley in a key Skyline Conference boys' soccer match in Murphy on Monday night. The senior forward crossed a ball in the Mustangs' goal box that richocheted off a defender and into the net, breaking  a 1-1 tie. The win improved Phoenix to 6-1 in conference play, setting the stage for a huge showdown with Henley on October 25. The Hornets are currently 5-0-1 in the Skyline and own a 2-1 win over Phoenix in an earlier match-up. Danny Palomino scored Phoenix's first goal, beating the HV keeper midway through the first half. The host Mustangs countered with a goal early in the second half to draw even before Selden's game-winner. Phoenix is 6-5-1 overall and ranked 10th in the state. Henley is currently ranked third in the state. Varsity game time on Oct. 25 is 6:30 pm at P-T Rising Field in Phoenix. 

All signs are pointing to a first-half showdown in Skyline Conference boys' soccer! The Phoenix Pirates did their part on Thursday night, rolling past visiting Hidden Valley 4-2 at P-T Rising Stadium. The win improved Phoenix to 3-0 in conference play and sets up a big contest at Henley, also undefeated, on Oct. 6. The Pirates opened a 4-0 lead. Danny Palomino scored three times while Jenner Selden also found the net. Visiting Hidden Valley responded with a pair of late goals but never moved any closer. Goalie Julius Bolstad anchored 65 minutes of a shutout before Hidden Valley's second-half goals. Phoenix is 3-4-1 overall and ranked 18th in the state after a brutal pre-season schedule. Henley is 8-0 and ranked third in the state.   

The Phoenix boys' soccer team is starting to roll. After a challenging pre-season schedule, the Pirates are off to a 2-0 start in Skyline Conference play after a 3-2 win at Klamath Union on Tuesday night. That victory came on the heels of an 8-0 romp over Mazama to open the Skyline on Sept. 23. Senior captain Danny Palomino scored a pair of goals, helping Phoenix overcome an early 1-0 deficit in Klamath Falls. Cielo Marlia-Larsen opened the scoring with a goal 15 minutes into the contest. The match was tied 1-1 when Palomino scored twice over the course of a few minutes. Ethan Martinez picked up an asasist on the first goal. Phoenix is 2-4-1 overall heading into a home match on Thursday vs. Hidden Valley. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm at P-T Rising Field. The game will be streamed on tablerocksports.net