Philomath sophomores Kya Bolton and Bethany Cannon each scored twice in the team’s 7-0 home rout over Junction City on a hot Tuesday afternoon but it was senior Ana Candanoza’s goal off a corner kick that not only provided one of the game’s highlights but pretty much cemented the victory with a 3-0 lead in the 14th minute.
“I just saw the ball coming in and I could have dropped my head but I don’t like to get my head that low,” Candanoza said about the play. “So I was like, I’m going to throw something at it.”
Gallery: PHS girls soccer vs. Junction City (Sept. 16, 2025)
A collection of photos from Philomath High’s 7-0 girls soccer win at home over Junction City on Tuesday.
That something was the side of her body — and it was enough to direct the ball past Junction City’s goalkeeper and into the net.
Bolton delivered an effective corner kick.
“I feel like I’ve learned more where Kya’s balls will fall and so I try to get there as best I can,” Candanoza said.
The win put Philomath’s record at 4-1 heading into next week’s conference opener vs. Sweet Home.
Candanoza said the team wanted to come out and put in a solid performance against the Tigers after the 3-0 loss last week to Marist Catholic. But specifically, there were certain things that the Warriors focused on in practice.
“We had some things that we really wanted to work on like combination play through the middle and then there were certain patterns that we were trying to get in,” Candanoza said. “I think, also, just having good communication because we lack that sometimes.”
So, did Philomath accomplish those goals in the game?
“In the first half, it was really hot and it was kind of slow and sluggish. But in the second half … you could see those balls playing through the middle a little bit more. I think towards the end, we got there,” she said.
Philomath got on the scoreboard with two quick goals 60 seconds apart in the game’s eighth and ninth minutes. First, Bolton broke free and beat the keeper 1-on-1 and then Cannon scored in a similar fashion for the second goal. Cannon and sophomore Bella Nunez set up the first two goals and were credited with assists.
Candanoza then scored her goal in the 14th minute. Philomath had several other opportunities and led 3-0 at the break.
Veteran coach Mat Phelps said his team was persistent on a challenging afternoon.
“It was a hot day with a lot of chances — maybe we felt like we could have scored a lot more sooner but we were just being persistent and keeping at it,” he said. ““There were a couple of new things that we’re working on that had success today and so that was positive.”
Junction City (0-6) had the ball on Philomath’s end of the field for a decent stretch to begin the second half. In fact, senior Valeri Gingerich took the ball from midfield to begin the period and sprinted all the way toward the net to create a scoring opportunity in the first 20 seconds. But the shot missed.
“We asked our back line to play a different formation in the second half and so a lot of those players hadn’t played in that formation with only three in the back instead of four,” Phelps said. “I’m proud of those girls for kind of figuring it out on the fly.”
Even though the team was working through those defensive logistics, Philomath added another goal to its lead in the 44th minute when Cannon scored with an assist by Candanoza. Moments earlier, Bolton had put the ball in play on a corner kick.
The score remained 4-0 for the next 30 minutes but the Warriors finished with three goals in the game’s last seven minutes. Bolton nailed a shot high net from at least 35 yards out in the 73rd minute, senior Logan Cook finished high with an assist by Candanoza in the 74th minute and Nunez picked up a goal after receiving the ball in traffic from junior Jordyn Hood.
“I think the girls would tell you that we could have had better chances if we were a little more patient,” Phelps said. “We played the extra pass here and there but anytime we score seven goals, you can’t be disappointed.”
The team now has a nine-day stretch away from competition. The Oregon West opener vs. Sweet Home is scheduled for Sept. 25.
Philomath 7, Junction City 0
Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Philomath HS
| Teams (Record) | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junction City (0-6) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philomath (4-1) | 3 | 4 | 7 |
First Half — 1, Philomath Bolton (Cannon), 8th minute; 2, Philomath, Cannon (Nunez), 9th minute; 3, Philomath, Candanoza (Bolton), 14th minute.
Second Half — 4, Philomath, Cannon (Candanoza), 44th minute; 5, Philomath, Bolton, 73rd minute; 6, Philomath, Cook (Candanoza), 74th minute; 7, Philomath, Nunez (Hood), 80th minute.
Corner Kicks: Junction City 2, Philomath 11. Saves: Junction City 11 (Dickson), Philomath 2 (Sleeman).
Junior Varsity: Philomath 5, North Salem 2 (Monday). PHS Goals — Bumstead (PK), Wilson (Steen), Mooney (Robertson), Allen, Harrington.
