AURORA, Ore.– The third-ranked North Marion Huskies (12-1-1, 8-1-1 OWC) will open their first-round of the 4A OSAA against the North Valley Knights (8-7, 5-5 Skyline) from the Skyline Conference.

North Valley’s defense will face a tough challenge in slowing the physical and attacking pace of North Marion’s scoring offense, led by captain Aaron Caballero, which ranks second in 4A at 81 goals.

However, the Knights can score themselves.  At 44 goals in 15 games, a average of 2.93 goals a game, if North Valley could get the ball pass goalkeeper Patrick Amezcua and the North Marion defensive back-line led by Oscar Ruiz-Contreras and match the intensity of the Huskies, expect a good game.

But through it all, neutral site or not, North Marion Head Coach Rafael Pelaez knows the expectations are the same come game time of his squad.

“The decision to play on a field that is not ours is a good thing for the team,” said Pelaez.  “I think the plan is to win and I have expectations that are always the highest,”

Game time is 6pm at Canby High School.

STAYTON V. COTTAGE GROVE—In Salem, Oregon– The OSAA Number One Stayton High School Boys Soccer Team (11-0-2, 9-0-1 Oregon West League) will be opening up the OSAA 4A playoffs the 18^th-ranked Cottage Grove (9-6, 6-5 Sky ‘Em League) Tuesday, but will be traveling to Sprauge High School to face the Lions at 7pm.

Jose Navarro and the Eagles defense have allowed just nine goals all season but would need to be on their toes as Cottage Grove’s offense has produced 2.68 goals a game.

But you give what you take as the Lions defense will have to slow the Stayton duo of Ivan and Alfredo “Freddy” Navarro, both have scored frequently towards the end of the regular season.  Freddy Navarro had two goals and cousin Ivan had a hat trick against Philomath in a 8-0 victory last Tuesday on senior day.

START TIME: 7PM AT SPRAGUE HIGH SCHOOL

5A:  (8) LA SALLE PREP V. (9) SPRINGFIELD-   The most interesting game in the 5A bracket features the third-place team from the Northwest Conference with La Salle Prep (8-4-3, 5-2-1) and the winner of the Midwestern League in Springfield (9-3-2, 6-0).

Similar in records but the Falcons had the tougher road to the playoffs in the NWC with number one Wilsonville (13-0-1, 8-0) and the OSAA 5A third ranked Spartans of Hillsboro (10-1-3, 6-1-1), but the Millers lost just once at home while outscoring opponents 18-5 on the home turf.

START TIME:  6PM, WILLAMANIE CENTER

OTHER GAMES OF SALEM/PORTLAND AREA TEAMS:

6A

1. EUGENE V. MCMINNVILLE 6:30PM

ROOSEVELT V. BEAVERTON 7:30PM

BARLOW V SUNSET 7PM

1. MEDFORD V. LINCOLN 4PM
2. SALEM V GRANT 6:30PM

MCKAY V. CLACKAMAS 7PM

CENTRAL CATHOLIC V. WESTVIEW 7PM

5A

CENTRAL V. (1) WILSONVILLE 7PM

MARIST CATHOLIC V. WOODBURN 6PM

CORVAILLS V. HILLSBORO 4PM

SUMMIT V. ASHLAND 3PM

4A

(12) CASCADE AT (5) NORTH BEND.  5PM

3A/2A/1A

WESTERN MENONITE V PORTLAND ADVENTIST ACADEMY 5PM

EAST LINN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY V. OREGON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 6:15PM

FOR FULL BRACKETS, CHECK OUT THE OSAA WEBSITE AT BRACKETS UNDER THE BOYS SOCCER TAB

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!

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