Rising to meet Kya Bolton’s free kick in the 11th minute Thursday against Central, Philomath High’s Jordyn Hood scored on a header into the left side of the net. It was an emotional moment for the PHS senior — not only because she scored the game’s first goal but because it was the final moment of her soccer career in a Warriors uniform.
Hood, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, left the game after scoring.
Gallery: PHS girls soccer vs. Central (Oct. 22, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 8-0 girls soccer win at home over Central on Thursday.
“So happy!” Hood said afterward. “I just love how everyone was working so hard for me because they knew it was really special to me. It made me feel special.”
The Warriors went on to beat Central 8-0 in the regular-season home finale. The match was stopped in the 70th minute under the eight-goal mercy rule.
Philomath recognized its six seniors before the game — Annaleise Brown, Ella Bumstead, Hood, Angelica Morales-Marquez, Makena Sleeman and Lucy Thomas.
Hood had a few chances in the first 10 minutes before her header found the net — just the way she wanted it.
“I love headers,” Hood said. “I wanted it to be a header goal.”
PHS coach Mat Phelps said the team had talked before the game about creating chances for Hood in the air.
“The season hasn’t gone the way that she would like, with just dealing with those things,” Phelps said. “We kind of talked about that — let’s see if we can get some goals, because we know she can use her head. It took a little bit longer than we would like, but she was there and put a head to it. So it was a great moment.”
Phelps said the emotion of the day showed well before kickoff.
“A lot of tears before the game, which is good,” he said. “They build relationships. It’s about way more than soccer. It’s about friendships and caring for one another, and just to see that they do that and they care, and they’re sad that their teammates are going to be moving on. So it is special.”
With Central winless in league play, Phelps moved several players out of their usual positions, and the Warriors got off to a slow start. Junior Reagan Nuño scored off a Bolton assist in the 33rd minute, and Bolton added a goal of her own in the 37th for a 3-0 halftime lead. Bolton, a junior, finished with a goal and two assists.
“We talked at halftime, like, ‘Hey, we had a good time. Let’s go play Philomath soccer in the second half,'” Phelps said. “And we did and took care of it.”
Junior Bethany Cannon scored on a pass from sophomore Autumn Wilson in the 49th minute, and Wilson found the net herself two minutes later. Brown, who usually plays defensive midfield, moved up to the attack and scored in the 54th minute on a shot over the Central keeper’s head. Junior Bella Nuñez scored off an assist from freshman Lilly Ellis in the 58th minute, and Brown ended the match with her second goal in the 70th, assisted by junior Laney Davis.
“Everyone’s kind of focused on getting whatever senior we can a goal,” Brown said. “Mat was like, ‘Just let loose in the second half. Just play however you want to play and play good.’ So it was a nice switch.”
Philomath improved to 10-3-1 overall and 8-0-1 in league play. The Warriors close the regular season Tuesday at second-place Stayton and could claim the conference title with a win or draw. Philomath then moves on to the 4A playoffs.
“We want to finish it the way we started it — with a win — and just carry that momentum on,” Phelps said. “I think the girls have the right mindset.”
As for Hood, she hopes to be ready for basketball season in three to four weeks.
Philomath 8, Central 0
Thursday, Oct. 22, at Philomath HS
Teams (Record) 1 2 F Central (0-12-1, 0-8-1) 0 0 0 Philomath (10-3-1, 8-0-1) 3 5 8
Note: The game was stopped in the 70th minute on the eight-goal mercy rule.
FIRST HALF—1, Philomath, Hood (Bolton), 11th minute; 2, Philomath, Nuño (Bolton), 33rd minute; 3, Philomath, Bolton, 37th minute.
SECOND HALF—4, Philomath, Cannon (Wilson), 49th minute; 5, Philomath, Wilson, 51st minute; 6, Philomath, Brown, 54th minute; 7, Philomath, Nuñez (L. Ellis), 58th minute; 8, Philomath, Brown (Davis), 70th minute.
JUNIOR VARSITY—Philomath 8, Central 0. PHS goals: 1, Badizadegan, 7th minute; 2, Cucci, 18th minute; 3, Davis (Pyburn), 20th minute; 4, Pyburn (Stimac), 23rd minute; 5, Phelps (Harrington), 63rd minute; 6, Mecham, 64th minute; 7, Stewart (Phelps), 74th minute; 8, A. Oster, 77th minute.
