By Jeremy McDonald

jmcdonald73@gmail.com

STAYTON, Ore.– The future of the Stayton High School Boys Soccer is strong starting at Stayton Middle School.

In 2015, the program entered Monday’s contest with Cascade a perfect 11-0 on the season with the guidance of Head Coach Josh Crain.

“As a whole I think guys have come out and really learned a lot about the basics and practicing the basics and moving off the ball, everything like that,” Crain said.  “The basics will get you where we’re at now and that’s just everyone playing their positions well and making the right passes , so simple soccer.”

A hat trick by Keven Loera and a “Brace” and a two-goal performance by David Rameriez gave the Vikings the advantage over the strong goalkeeping of Ivan Pelayo Garcia for the 7-0 win to move to 12-0 on the season.

“(Garcia’s) an exceptional keeper for his age,” said Tigers Head Coach Orion Wright about his goalie.  “He’s had games when he had 20 Saves.  He’s saved us a couple of games this season.  I’m pretty excited for his future and loving his performance he’s giving me this season.”

Under the threatening skies above, Stayton took to the Tigers with two goals each by Rameriez and Loera and another by Nolan Cramer, the Vikings held a 5-0 lead with halftime approaching.

However, Garcia played well for Cascade, with 11 saves in the first half, preventing Stayton from extending their lead before the half.

Entering the second half, as the rains came, the Tigers came out aggressively offensively as they gave the defensive back four of the Vikings their first steady dose of action of the game.

“The second half, I felt like we were more passionate about the game,” said Wright on his team’s second half push.  “We didn’t just go out there and try to attempt to play soccer.  We went out there with urge and not wanting to get blown out.”

The Vikings defensive back line accepted and faced the challenge presented by the Cascade offense and sent the ball back out to the field on several occasions.

Garcia continued his success at goal, stopping shot after shot; but Loera picked up another goal and Juilan Flores arched a 18-yarder passed Garcia for the lone two goals for the Vikings in the second half.

“Cascade knew what they were up against and we started to play good soccer again, once we got back off our heels and got ready for it,” said Crain on his team’s second half’s refocus.”

Next up for Stayton Middle is at home versus Neil Armstrong 2.  Cascade Jr. High is at home versus Talmadge Team 2.  Both games start at 4pm.

Jeremy McDonald is a professional sports journalist in the Salem/Portland area and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalist in Oregon with B.S. degrees from Southern Oregon University in Journalism (2011) and Health/PE (2013).  Got a story idea? Email him at jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com or on Twitter at @J_McDonald81!