Unruh-led Pirates edge Pleasant Hill in shootout

TALENT — Jaclyn Unruh was tough in the net for Phoenix in a Class 3A/2A/1A girls soccer opening-round state playoff match Saturday.

Unruh’s performance was crucial as the Pirates defeated eighth-ranked Pleasant Hill 1-0 in a shootout at Hagler-James Park.

Phoenix (11-5) will play District 1 champion Oregon Episcopal in the second round at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Portland. Oregon Episcopal has consecutive wins over defending state champion Catlin Gabel in its last two matches.

High-scoring Pleasant Hill (12-2-1), the No. 3 seed from the Sky Em League, came into the playoff game against third-seeded Phoenix with 80 goals in 15 games.

But Unruh registered her school record 11th shutout of the season. All 11 Pirate victories this season have come on shutouts.

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Unruh, the returning District 7 all-league goalie, made two saves in the shootout, two saves on breakaways and didn’t make a mistake in the first half when the Billies outshot Phoenix, 8- 0.

"(Unruh) was stunning," Phoenix coach John Doty said. "She demonstrated today why she is one of the best 3A kids playing goalie in the whole state of Oregon. She was stopping shots, she was coming down with high balls in traffic and her redistribution game was tremendous. She put us on attack constantly."

With each team converting on one goal in the shootout after three rounds, Unruh made a save on the Billies’ fourth shooter. The Pirates’ fourth shooter, Alex Hanscom, converted for what proved to be the winning goal.

When Pleasant Hill’s fifth attempt went over the net, Phoenix secured the victory.

Robyn Singleton gave Phoenix the initial lead in the shootout by scoring in the second round. The Billies only goal came in the third round.

A first-half collision in front of the Pirates’ net cost each team a key player. Pleasant Hill all-league player Audra Bruington was injured along with Pirate freshman marking back Becca Singleton. Freshman Molly Hopson, a starting midfielder, was moved back to the defensive end and helped the Pirates keep the Billies from scoring.

HIDDEN VALLEY 2, RIVERSIDE 1 — At Murphy, Hidden Valley received first-half goals from sophomore Bailey Southern and freshman Denise Powell and controlled much of the action by remaining on the attack throughout the game at District Field.

The Mustangs (12-3) advance to the round of 16 on Tuesday with a 2 p.m. game at District 7 champion Sisters.

Southern scored unassisted in the eighth minute when she brought the ball from the back end up the middle and converted from about 12 yards away.

The District 5 second-seeded Mustangs upped their lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute on Powell’s goal with an assist from Kayla Flick.

Riverside scored in the 72nd minute.

Hidden Valley outshot Riverside, 31-8.

The Mustangs were forced to move junior Airica Cornwell into the net for the first time this season due to an knee injury to sophomore Melissa Henner.

Class 4A State Playoffs

SOUTHRIDGE 2, ROSEBURG 0 — At Beaverton, Southridge scored twice within five minutes early in the second half and Roseburg had no answer as the Skyhawks eased to victory in a Class 4A, first-round state playoff match.

Southridge, the No. 2 representative from the Metro League, meets top-ranked Sheldon Tuesday in Eugene.

Cari Hachmann tallied first for Southridge on a penalty kick in the 45th minute. Five minutes later, Alex Earl connected for the Skyhawks, who outshot the Indians 12-2.

Southern Oregon Conference player of the year Carli Godard had a strong match in defeat for the Indians, who finished their season with a 9-6 record.