By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
WOODBURN, Ore.– The North Marion Boys Soccer team once again proved why they’re always a tough out when it comes playoff time.
Seeded tenth entering the 4A playoffs, the Huskies became road warriors as they wheeled off wins at Seaside, The Dalles in PK’s and Henley. Roughly 735 miles in the last week and a half to get to Saturday’s 4A State Championship Game.
“I think it’s that we play as a family and as a team. We all have love for the sport and for each other,” said Christian Delgado. “We always seem to push through no matter what people say or what we’re going through, we always find a way to fix it and leave it all out and attack any challenge that comes at us.”
Damien Vallejo scored the lone goal for North Marion in their 1-0 victory over the Hornets on Tuesday in the Semi-Finals as the Huskies avenged their 4A State Finals defeat to Henley. The game was the fifth-straight year that North Marion got to the State Semi’s and the victory sent the Huskies to their second-straight State Championship Game.
And across from them on Saturday night at Liberty High School is their longtime Oregon West Conference rival in Stayton. North Marion’s looking for their first State Title since they beat the Eagles back during thr 2014 season.
“It’s crazy to think about. Being a ten-seed, we beat number two and number four. I feel like a lot of people doubted us and here we are, back in the State Championship,” said Vallejo. “We just got to keep working hard. We’ll use these last two practices that we have left and make it worth it. Work hard and play like we’ve been playing these last few games and we got it.”
Kickoff for the 4A State Boys Soccer is slated for 6:30pm at Liberty High School.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
