Four years ago in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs, Philomath’s girls soccer team advanced with a 3-2 win over Henley in a game that came down to penalty kicks. The year before that, the Warriors again advanced past the first round by defeating the Hornets, 3-2.
The two schools met Friday on the pitch for the first time since those postseason battles in 2021 and 2022 with the Bend Soccer Showcase serving as the backdrop. And again, the outcome was decided by a single goal.
This time around, Henley picked up the “W” in a low-scoring 1-0 final. The Hornets converted on a corner kick in the ninth minute.
“We played really solid — worked extremely hard and had more of the ball,” PHS coach Mat Phelps said. “Just didn’t quite break through.”
Both teams have been mentioned among the best in 4A based on the OSAAtoday preseason coaches poll — Henley was ranked No. 5 and Philomath No. 6. The Hornets entered the match with a 0-0-1 record after a 2-2 tie against Crater, a Class 5A school. Philomath dropped a 7-0 decision to defending state champion Marist Catholic.
Philomath will continue play in the tournament on Saturday with a 9 a.m. match against 5A Crook County, which opened its season with a 2-0 tournament loss to La Grande on Friday evening.
Henley 1, Philomath 0
Friday, Sept. 4, at Bend Field Club Soccer Complex
Teams (Record) 1 2 F Henley (1-0-1) 1 0 1 Philomath (0-2) 0 0 0
FIRST HALF—1, Henley, 9th minute.
OREGON WEST CONFERENCE
STANDINGS—Cascade 0-0-1, Stayton 0-0-1, Central 0-1, Newport 0-2, Philomath 0-2, Taft 0-2.
SCORES—Sept. 3: Lebanon 4, Newport 0; Tillamook 4, Taft 0. Sept. 4: Henley 1, Philomath 0.