The Centralia College men’s soccer team suffered a massive defeat on Wednesday, losing 6-1 to Portland.
The Trailblazers (2-3-2, 1-2-1 NWAC) kept it scoreless for a large portion of the first half despite an onslaught of Panthers shots. Giovanni Grimaldo got the Panthers on the board with a goal in the 34th minute, however, and Gabirel Matos made it 2-0 just five minutes later.
The Trailblazers didn’t go quietly into the half, however, as they earned a penalty kick just minutes later. Jace Brookersen stepped up and promptly sank his penalty shot, his third goal of the season, to cut the deficit in half.
Portland was much more efficient on their scoring chances in the second half. Ivan Alfaro made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute, and Grimaldo scored his second in the 67th minute to break the game open.
Two minutes later, Daniel Hernandez sank a penalty shot of his own, and he completed the brace in the 79th minute to make it 6-1.
Victor Rojas did what he could in net, making 10 saves, but the Panther offense continued to find space for high-percentage chances. Overall, PCC outshot CC 20-9.
The Trailblazers are back in action in Oregon on Saturday, as they’ll head south to Ashland to face Southwestern Oregon University at 2:30 p.m.
The Centralia College women’s soccer team also lost Wednesday, suffering its fourth defeat in the last five games in a 2-1 loss to Clark.
The unbeaten Penguins (4-0-0) dominated the pace of play throughout and generated a majority of the scoring chances, particularly in the first half, where they outshot CC (2-4, 1-3 NWAC) 15-3.
Ella Krause led the Clark attack, scoring the two Penguin goals and finishing the day with five shots on goal.
The Trailblazer defense had more success in the second half, allowing seven shots and not conceding, but the offense struggled to get into a rhythm.
CC generated just five shots on the day, and only two of them came in the second half.
They were able to get on board late, as Cierra Larson scored her third goal of the season, but it came on one of the final plays of the game.
Abigail Hansen had the three other CC shots on goal, but each one was saved by Clark keepers Amanda Jeschke and Adriana Cortes. Centralia keeper Melina Grijalva finished the day with eight saves.
The Trailblazers return north on Saturday, as they’ll head to Olympia to take on South Puget Sound at 2:15 p.m.
