Ontario’s Maria Diaz (No. 18) maneuvers around the ball during first half action against Baker/Powder Valley Saturday. The Ontario girls soccer team defeated Baker/Powder Valley 6-2. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell)
ONTARIO – Briona Romayor scored four goals and teammates Deisy Montoya and Ashley Cano each scored one goal to lift Ontario over Baker/Powder Valley 6-2 in Greater Oregon League girls soccer action Saturday.
“I think everyone, generally, did well. Our defense definitely stepped up,” said Ontario coach Javier Gonzalez.
The Lady Tigers led 3-1 at intermission and then tagged on three more goals in the second half for the win.
“We always try to go out and win the second half, which we did,” said Gonzalez.
Montoya finished the day with three assists and Ontario improved to 2-0 in league play.
“We are wining and learning and we definitely just want to improve,” said Gonzalez.
The Lady Tigers are already light years ahead of where they were a year ago.
In 2018, Ontario finished the season with just one win.
“We still have room for improvement but we are getting better. The girls are coming together. We are in mid-season form for sure,” said Gonzalez.
The Lady Tigers played La Grande (6-1) Wednesday.
In other prep soccer action: The Ontario High School boys soccer team defeated Baker/Powder Valley 7-0 Saturday.
“We got the results we were looking for,” said Tiger boys coach Jaime Gonzalez.
“We were pretty confident against Baker,” said Gonzalez.
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Gonzalez said the Saturday victory is a statement as the Tigers prepared to take on No. 1 La Grande on Wednesday.
“It will be quite a change field wise, and the speed of the game will be quicker on that turf,” Gonzalez said.
Last year, Gonzalez said, the team tied at home against La Grande, but lost on their turf.
“Hopefully we get a good result on Wednesday and make it easier for us to clinch our second league championship in a row,” Gonzalez said.
“That’s what we are hoping for. We still have a long way to go,” Gonzalez added.
NYSSA SOCCER
The Nyssa boys soccer team beat Irrigon 6-2 in Nyssa Saturday.
“I expected to get the win,” coach Steven Escobedo said. “I was just kind of worried because I was shorthanded a couple of players.”
Senior Andy Montes Perfecto and freshman Gabriel Ortega Alatorre played a good game on defense, Escobedo said.
Junior Javier Castro and freshman Elias Lazo both scored in Saturday’s game.
“They are always the toughest team in their league,” Escobedo said of Riverside, who the Bulldogs will play in their next league game at home on Friday, Oct. 4.
Riverside were the state champions a couple of years back, and last year the Bulldogs split with them, but this time around Escobedo is confident that his Bulldogs will win.
“We know we can beat them, but we know we need to do our best,” Escobedo said. In addition to Riverside, the Bulldogs will face off with Umatilla.
“We have our two toughest conference games coming up,” Escobedo said.
Escobedo added that the team would focus on getting better at possession as well as finishing through with their plays.
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