The Philomath High School boys soccer team trailed just 1-0 at halftime Tuesday at Newport but struggled to keep pace with the Cubs over the final 22 minutes in what ended up as a 5-0 loss.
The Cubs needed the victory to remain in contention for one of the top two spots in the Oregon West Conference. Newport improved to 4-1-1 in league games and trails Cascade (5-0-1) and Stayton (5-1) in the standings.
The top two teams in the league earn automatic berths in the 16-team Class 4A playoff bracket. The third-place team could also qualify as one of four at-large teams, which are reserved for third-place finishers and chosen from the OSAA rankings when they freeze Oct. 31.
Philomath dropped to 2-4 in conference play and 3-7-1 overall.
Most of the first half remained scoreless, with the Cubs not breaking through until the 35th minute. The teams battled back and forth early in the second half before Newport found the net in the 58th minute for a 2-0 lead and then went up 3-0 in the 61st minute. The home team added two more goals in the final 10 minutes.
Philomath is scheduled to host Taft at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. The Warriors defeated the Tigers 6-2 on Sept. 29.
Newport 5, Philomath 0
Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Newport HS
Teams (Record) 1 2 F Philomath (3-7-1, 2-4) 0 0 0 Newport (6-2-3, 4-1-1) 1 4 5
FIRST HALF—1, Newport, 35th minute.
SECOND HALF—2, Newport, 58th minute; 3, Newport, 61st minute; 4, Newport, 71st minute; 5, Newport, 78th minute.