By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  Never, never, never give up.

The best way to describe the fight that the Stayton Eagles had in the 4A OSAA Semi-Final Game versus Henley of Klamath Falls.

Down 1-0 in the final eight minutes of the game, Alfredo “Freddie” Navarro scored the tying, and the game-winning goal in the matter of five minutes to send his team for the second consecutive year.

“A lot of faith in players,” said Stayton Eagle Head Coach Chris Shields.  “Freddie was pretty dorminate all game but he stepped up when he needed to.

“(He) got easy opportunities to put away (on the first goal) and we got gifted with the PK and that’s what happens.”

After a first half that saw goalies take over, both teams went for the win to start the second.

Stayton’s Ivan Navarro had two quick shots on goal, but were saved by the Hornets.

Henley continued their aggressive attack as Dylan Castle answered a ricochet shot with a header goal in the 48th minute, getting past the stretched out hands of Jose Navarro.

Navarro would saved three of his ten total saves in the second half however as he kept the Hornets off the board for the rest of the game.

“We were losing and nobody wanted to lose,” said Jose Navarro. “So I’m pretty sure everyone wanted to play as hard as they could.”

The Eagles battled back, trying to tie the game in the cold November night as Freddie Navarro tied the ball game up with eight minutes left in regulation.

Now, with new life, Stayton seemingly looked as if they had fresh legs as they took advantage of a stunned Henley team.

On one of those drives offensively, Freddie Navarro was fouled in the goalie box as he took and connected on a 77th minute goal for the lead.

“I mean the first goal came off a toe poke, the second goal a PK,” said Navarro.“I was really concentrating on where I wanted to place it.  I’m just really excited that I scored those two (goals).”

Now with the lead, a place familiar to the Eagles, the Stayton defense finished the job, propelling the Eagles to their third OSAA State Title game since 2010 where they’ll face the second-ranked Sister Outlaws.

Freddie, who was on the team who lost to North Marion in the State Title game, said that he is excited for the task at hand Saturday.

“Just play as hard as we can,” said Freddie Navarro.  “I’m excited to be playing the number two team.  I mean we’ve never faced them. It’s going to be exciting, its going to be an exciting game.”

For Shields, it’s his third appearance in five years.

“It is what it is,” said Shields smiling..  “It’s just a lot of work that’s gone into it, let’s put it that way.  I’m happy, I’m elated, still got to play the game so hopefully it wasn’t as crazy as that one.”

SCORE          1          2          – T

HORNETS    0          1          – 1

EAGLES        0          2          – 2

GOALS- STAYTON- Navarro, A. (72’, 77’).   Henley-  Castle, D (48’)

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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