Bailey Bell, Ella Weickum
Bailey Bell, left, and Ella Weickum, were involved in both Philomath goals on Tuesday at Stayton. (File photo by Logan Hannigan-Downs/Philomath News)

The Philomath High School girls soccer team ended the regular season on a high note Tuesday with a 2-0 road victory in a physical matchup at Stayton. The Warriors will take a 9-2-3 overall record either into the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs or a play-in game.

The Oregon School Activities Association shows on its website that in 4A girls soccer, the six conference champions plus two at-large teams will receive automatic berths in the state playoffs. Philomath appears to have a solid shot at securing the second at-large spot as the runner-up in the Oregon West and No. 7 OSAA ranking. Tri-Valley runner-up North Marion — a team Philomath defeated this season — is ranked No. 3 and will likely secure the first at-large spot.

If that’s how it plays out, the Warriors would host a first-round playoff game on Nov. 2.

In the win Tuesday at Stayton, the Warriors and Eagles were scoreless through the first half but Philomath struck twice early in the second half. Ella Weickum scored in the 43rd minute with an assist to Bailey Bell for a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Bell scored with Weickum on the assist.

“We played well under tough weather conditions and controlled the ball most of the game,” PHS coach Mat Phelps said. “Defense was in control the whole game and we broke through on two of numerous chances.”

Phelps said he saw something extra out of his team in the victory.

“We battled physically in ways we haven’t at times this year,” Phelps said.

The Warriors now wait for the final word on the playoff situation following a rankings freeze later Tuesday night.

Philomath 2, Stayton 0
Tuesday, Oct. 26, at Stayton HS

TEAMS (RECORDS)1H2HFINAL
Philomath (9-2-3, 8-1-3)022
Stayton (3-9-2, 3-7-2)000
SCORING SUMMARY
Second Half: 1, Philomath, Ella Weickum (Bailey Bell), 43rd minute; 2, Philomath, Bell (Weickum), 46th minute.

Conference Standings
(Final)

Oregon WestConfAllPFPA
Woodburn
Philomath
Sisters
Cascade
Newport
Stayton
Sweet Home		9-0-3
8-1-3
8-2-2
4-7-1
4-8
3-7-2
0-11-1		9-0-4
9-2-3
9-3-2
4-8-1
6-8
3-9-2
1-12-1		50
47
34
23
27
10
7		8
10
11
48
28
38
60

Saturday, Oct. 23
Woodburn 2, Sisters 0
Cascade 4, Sweet Home 2
Philomath 4, Newport 1
Monday, Oct. 25
Newport 4, Sweet Home 0
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Sisters 5, Cascade 0
Philomath 2, Stayton 0