Philomath High’s boys soccer team spent much of the second half on Newport’s side of the field Thursday. By then, the damage was already done.
Newport strung together three straight goals in the first half and added an insurance goal late to beat the Warriors 4-1 on the PHS pitch. The game was the Oregon West Conference opener for both teams and also served as Philomath’s home opener.
Gallery: PHS boys soccer vs. Newport (Sept. 24, 2026)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s boys soccer game at home vs. Newport on Thursday.
“It’s been this way the whole season, where we are making little mistakes and kind of digging ourselves into a hole,” first-year Philomath coach Gerardo Garibay said. “And then, we get back into the game, but at that point, we had already, again, dug ourselves into a hole.”
After the Cubs (3-1-2 overall, 1-0 Oregon West) built the three-goal advantage, Philomath answered around the 35th minute when junior Dreyton Nuño took on his defender down the right side and finished with his left foot inside the far post.
“It was a great goal, gave us some hope — a beautiful shot,” Garibay said.
The Warriors carried that momentum into the second half and kept Newport pinned in its own end for long stretches but could not find the net. Garibay mentioned that Philomath hit the post three times and missed an open goal.
“If any of those chances go in, it’s a completely different game,” he said. “We just haven’t been able to have any of those chances go our way.”
The Cubs then capitalized on one of its few second-half opportunities to close out the scoring.
Garibay called Newport “definitely a quality team” and added that they were one of the only opponents this season to move the ball effectively against Philomath.
“We were able to figure it out in the second half,” he said. “It’s something that we’ll work on.”
Garibay singled out Nuño, a winger, for his play beyond the goal.
“He’s been doing it all season,” Garibay said. “He beats his guy every single time, creating chances for us. Unfortunately, we just can’t get on the end of it and finish.”
He also credited junior Archer Schroeder, who plays center defensive midfield.
“He’s all over the field for us, recovering the ball and playing his position really well,” Garibay said.
Garibay said a lack of depth has made it difficult to settle on a lineup.
“Our skill level between our highest player and the 11th player that we have to field is huge,” he said. “So, it’s just been figuring out what the balance is and what’s our strongest lineup. We haven’t been able to repeat a lineup for whatever reason.”
Philomath (1-4-1, 0-1) continues conference play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Taft.
Newport 4, Philomath 1
Thursday, Sept. 24, at Philomath HS
Teams (Record) 1 2 F Newport (3-1-2) 3 1 4 Philomath (1-4-1) 1 0 1
Note: Individual scoring not available.
OREGON WEST CONFERENCE
STANDINGS—Cascade 1-0, 6-0; Stayton 1-0, 5-0; Newport 1-0, 3-1-2; Central 0-1, 2-3; Taft 0-1, 1-3; Philomath 0-1, 1-4-1.
SCORES—Sept. 22: Cascade 2, North Marion 0. Sept. 24: Newport 4, Philomath 1; Cascade 8, Central 0; Stayton 8, Taft 0.