In an impressive display of soccer skills on the Philomath High pitch Thursday afternoon, Sammy Hernandez, Esias Sapp and Jacob Hernandez each scored goals in a 3-0 victory over visiting Cascade.
The Warriors regrouped nicely after a three-goal loss earlier in the week against Stayton to improve to 2-1 in the Oregon West Conference and 6-1 overall.
While the Hernandez brothers are often found around the net scoring goals, Sapp recorded his first of the season. It occurred in the 38th minute off a corner kick from senior Zach Grapoli.
“Me and Jacob usually talk about who gets that spot because the ball goes there,” Sapp said in reference to the back post. “I saw the ball coming and I just knew it just had to fall in the goal.”
Sapp, a junior, scored on a header — a particular part of the game that he really doesn’t enjoy that much.
“I’m usually scared to head the ball,” Sapp said. “So yeah, that’s going to give me a lot of confidence to head the ball more often. That put us up 2-nil and after that, we started playing better.”
Sophomore Sammy Hernandez scored the game’s first goal in the fifth minute on a well-executed and quick setup from his older brother, junior Jacob Hernandez.
The Warriors had other opportunities to find the net. Two shot attempts in the first half hit the crossbar — a header by Sapp in the 13th minute and a ball by Sammy Hernandez in the 36th. Sophomore Dreyton Nuño also missed on a golden chance at an open net when Cascade’s goalkeeper slipped while trying to cover the ball. Nuño quickly made the attempt but it missed.
Jacob Hernandez had several near misses in the second half but finally came through in the 61st minute to give Philomath a 3-0 lead. And it was just as impressive as the team’s first two goals as he took a pass from Sammy Hernandez on the run and finished with a blast that glanced off the goalkeeper’s hand.
Cascade dropped to 3-4 overall, 0-3 in the conference.
The victory for Philomath was needed after the loss two days earlier.
“This is a big one coming off the loss at Stayton,” Sapp said. “This brings our energy level up for next week’s games … and helps us come together as a team.”
Philomath is scheduled to play at 4 p.m. Tuesday at North Marion and at 4 p.m. Thursday at home against Newport.
Philomath 3, Cascade 0
Thursday, Oct. 2, at Philomath HS
| Teams (Record) | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade (3-4, 0-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philomath (6-1, 2-1) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
First Half — 1, Philomath, S. Hernandez (J. Hernandez), 5th minute; 2, Philomath, Sapp (Grapoli), 38th minute.
Second Half — 3, Philomath, J. Hernandez (S. Hernandez), 61st minute.
