The Philomath High School boys soccer team pushed unbeaten Estacada through the first half but the Rangers proved to be too strong in the second half with three unanswered goals for a 4-1 win.
The Warriors (0-3) are scheduled to open Oregon West Conference play Sept. 21 with a home game against Cascade.
Estacada (4-0), which lost to Philomath in the 2021 playoffs and in 2022 during the regular season, scored first in Thursday’s game with a goal in the 19th minute. On the play, the Rangers threatened from the left side and PHS sophomore goalkeeper Jake McGaughy made a save but the ball popped out and Estacada finished in traffic.
Philomath countered in the 32nd minute when senior Austin Hunsaker won a ball and passed to junior Silas Pittman. Shooting from the right side from 25 yards out, Pittman found the net to tie the score, 1-1.
In the second half, Estacada struck twice in the first nine minutes to take control. The goals came about two minutes apart with a set play in the 48th and on a long ball in the 50th. The Rangers scored their fourth goal with about 12 minutes remaining on another play that developed from a long pass.
