By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Coming off just days from clinching a spot in the postseason for the first time ever, the Crosshill Christian/Jefferson Boys Soccer team took it another step further:
They won their first-ever playoff game in their first-ever playoff home game when they defeated Taft 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Salem Academy.
The team known as ‘United ‘ jumped out to a 1-0 lead going into the second half. Jefferson’s Enrique Alvarez scored the first half goal as the freshman went on to score two in the victory.
They would need that second goal from Alvarez as well as the goal from Crosshill Christian’s Grady Lytle prior to surviving the Tigers rally.
Taft tied it up during the second half, and then the United Squad pulled ahead 2-1 by the 70th minute off a corner kick. Alvarez added the third goal late to help seal the 3-1 victory as Crosshill Christian/Jefferson advances to Wednesday’s 3A/2A/1A State Playoff second round.
“It may sound cliché, but effort is intentionally being put into being truly united: trusting your brother, picking them up, entering the battle, and celebrating the successes that come on that journey,” starts Head Coach Brian Stuck. “Proud of the grit the squad demonstrated tonight to regain the lead and preserve that lead. This is the growth that young people get only from playing these types of matches against talented playoff teams.
“The squad believes and is hungry. I’m very honored to be a part of it.”
The squad heads to Tigard on Wednesday to play Westside Christian.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
