By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– For the first time since 2013, the Western Christian/Perrydale Girls Soccer team has clinched the number-one seed out of their league.
It was a long time coming for the squad.
Seven years ago, they were co-oping with Salem Academy, they didn’t have a team during the Covid-short year and co-oping with Amity during the 2021-2022 season. The Pioneers returned to having a team during the 2022 season and slowly had been building back up to those 2013-2018 glory years.
To accomplish this feat, they had to go up a 3A/2A/1A and District opposition Blanchet. The Cavaliers took the October 6 meeting 3-1 and since then, Western Christian has been slowly sharpening up their skills for this moment on Saturday morning into early afternoon in the 3A/2A/1A Special District 2 District Title Game.
Both teams went back and forth, it looked as if the game was on a collision course for Overtime before a breakthrough.
With about 6:35 left in regulation, Savannah Newmann, who went on to be named District Player of the Year, punched in an opportunity to give Western Christian/Perrydale a narrow 1-0 lead.
That’s all the Pios would need to pull through to snap a 13-year League Title Drought.
“The biggest difference was mostly we got to see what they are about, It was a whole different level last game with speed and coming to the ball that they had. They’re extremely competitive, we got to calibrate it and it ended up so much better,” said Savannah Newmann. “I’m just glad that our team kept our heads and we didn’t let any of the pressure get to us. The goal was shot in the dark, I had a great pass from Madison Barcroft and it ended up working.”
For Blanchet, the defeat was their first, it snapped a 13-game winning streak for the Cavaliers, but it was a good eye-opener for the team entering the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs this next week.
“It’s good for the girls to see what competition is going to be like when we get into the playoffs. For them, the realization that you got to come ready, and we got to come ready to play,” said Blanchet Head Coach Tina Persons. “We have a strong season. The whole time, even up to today, strong season, I’m proud of the girls with how they worked and the dedication and commitment they’ve given to the program and to each other. We have to continue to work hard, working with each other as teammates, as players and come to play and see what happens. It’s soccer.”
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
