Philomath High’s Jacob Hernandez had the hot foot on a hot afternoon in Junction City scoring his team’s first four goals in a 5-0 shutout over the Tigers. The Warriors junior now has 10 goals for the season in just three games.
Hernandez’s first goal came in the game’s 18th minute with an assist by sophomore Dreyton Nuño. The next three came in a flurry with goals in the 27th, 29th and 32nd minutes with assists by sophomore Sammy Hernandez, senior Jake McGaughy and senior Zach Grapoli.
Yes, McGaughy is the goalkeeper and he got the ball down to Hernandez for a 3-0 lead.
“It took us a while to get going — we missed several clear chances,” PHS coach Dave Ellis said. “But once we got the first one, everybody kind of settled and then Jacob scored the next three in just a few minutes.”
The score stood at 4-0 at halftime. Philomath added a fifth goal five minutes into the second half with Grapoli finishing with an assist by senior Caleb Babcock.
“We tried to move people around and work on different concepts in the second half,” Ellis said. “We were in control the whole game so there was nothing I was really worried about.”
Beyond Hernandez’s goals, the coach mentioned Nuño’s effort.
“Just his work rate and he played center back a bunch in the second half,” Ellis said. “It allowed us to try some different things.”
The players had to compete in temperatures that reached the high 80s.
“It was hot and sticky … I think it was an issue more for Junction City,” said Ellis, adding that he felt Philomath’s players were in better condition. “I think that was part of what happened — they hit the wall and Jacob was still fit and running and full of life.”
Philomath’s defense continued its shutout streak to open the season. The Warriors have not been scored upon in 120 minutes. Ellis admitted the competition hasn’t been stellar and his team will see its biggest test Thursday at home against Gladstone.
“Our opponents aren’t playing the best soccer right now,” Ellis said in reference to victories over Elmira, Marist Catholic and Junction City. “So we find out if we’re real on Thursday.”
Gladstone was 3-0 heading into a Tuesday evening game at Scappoose. Thursday’s game on Philomath’s home pitch is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.
Philomath 5, Junction City 0
Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Junction City HS
| Teams (Record) | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philomath (3-0) | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Junction City (0-5) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
First Half — 1, Philomath, J. Hernandez (Nuño), 18th minute; 2, Philomath, J. Hernandez (S. Hernandez), 27th minute; 3, Philomath, J. Hernandez (McGaughy), 29th minute; 4, Philomath, J. Hernandez (Grapoli), 32nd minute.
Second Half — 5, Philomath, Grapoli (Babcock), 45th minute.