The Philomath High School boys soccer team opened the season in successful fashion Tuesday night with a 2-0 road victory over Gladstone.
Senior Silas Pittman helped force the home team into an own goal in the first half and then scored with an assist to junior Zach Grapoli in the second half. Combined with strong defensive play, the Warriors got the win with a shutout.
Gladstone came into the game with a game under its belt — opening last week with a 3-0 win over St. Helens. The Gladiators played their way into the 4A playoffs last season and pushed the No. 1 seed, Henley, in a 1-0 opening-round loss.
The Warriors, meanwhile, hadn’t seen any competition since its Aug. 29 jamboree.
PHS coach Dave Ellis said his team started out shaky in the first half. At one point, Gladstone threatened with a shot toward the post only to see Warriors junior goalkeeper Tlacaelel Brambila-Boatner come up big with a “full extension dive save on what seemed a sure goal,” Ellis said.
In the following minutes, Philomath gained momentum and started to create opportunities, including a near-goal by sophomore Esias Sapp that caught the inside of the post. Ellis said Pittman then “did Silas things and torched three guys — each two times — down the left” to break free for a drive toward the opponent’s goal.
“He hit a hard low cross that a Gladstone defender turned into his own goal,” Ellis described.
The play occurred in the 25th minute and put the Warriors up 1-0.
Ellis saw the momentum carry over into the second half.
“In the second half, we absorbed their pressure and counterattacked,” he said. “We created the best chances.”
On one opportunity, freshman Sammy Hernandez juggled over two defenders and hit a volley from 20 yards that hit the crossbar.
In the 71st minute, another freshman, Dreyton Nuno, dug out a loose ball and got it to Grapoli. Ellis said Grapoli “played a beautiful weighted through ball to Silas, who quickly slotted the keeper.”
The shutout was noteworthy for Brambila-Boatner, who was making his first varsity start. Junior Mason Stevens and the two freshmen — Sammy Hernandez and Nuno — were also first-time varsity starters.
Philomath (1-0) will play on the road again Thursday with a trip to Eugene to face Marist Catholic. The Spartans will enter the match with a 1-2 record, falling 4-0 Tuesday at North Marion.
