Boys Soccer Team Gets Ranked and Then Gets Rolled

"We didn't play our best soccer tonight," boys varsity soccer coach Ryan Chambers said to the opposing Banks coaches after the tangle with Elvira on Thursday September 6 at Swartz Field.
Employing a rough and tumble attack, Banks recovered from an early goal by Mason Oilar to holding the Falcons scoreless in the first half, out-shooting Elmira and general spending the rest of the first half in the their opponents end of the field.

The Falcons scored again on a broken play in front of the Banks goal when Brian Estrada notched a goal over the sprawled Banks goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.  Then Elmira had to withstand the roughneck style of Banks to hold on for a 2-0.  The victory left the Falcons 8th ranked by the OSAA with an undefeated record, out scoring their opponents 13-2 in the process.

The accomplishment was short-lived.

If Chambers didn't like the play on Thursday, he definitely was unhappy on Saturday September 8 when the Henley Hornets came in and whipped Elmira by a 4-0 count that wasn't as close as the score indicated.  The previously ranked Falcons emerged Saturday morning like they hadn't had their first cup of coffee before the 11 am start.  Elmira struggled against a disciplined Hornets attack, surrendering an early goal at the 30:15 mark of the first half.  Plagued by a rash of midfield ball losses and uncharacteristic poor passing, Jaden Palmer was forced to defend a barrage of Henley shots.  Palmer may have played his finest half of soccer in his short career, collecting 11 first half saves, many of them athletic masterpieces.  Henley out shot the Falcons 13-5 in the first half.  Most frustrating for Coach Chambers was the goal given up with only 21 seconds remaining in the game, where it seemed that Elmira might have let up in the waning moments of the game.

Guillermo Farje (6) defends against a Henley mid-fielder in the Falcons' 4-0 loss on Saturday September 8 at Swartz Field.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie

Complicating the matter was the loss of two starters because they were running cross country.  Additionally, Riley Chambers suffered a high ankle sprain at the 5:47 point of the first half and was lost for the remainder of the game as well.  The prognosis is good that Chambers will return for the next start.

Elmira Boys Soccer Vaults to #8 in OSAA Rankings

Fresh off a second straight shut out win, the OSAA has taken notice of the Elmira boys soccer team 3-0 record, as well as their gaudy defensive accomplishments so far this season, rewarding them with a #8 ranking in 4A.  In three matches, the Falcons have outscored their opponents a combined 11-1.

"I really do not put a lot of stock in early season rankings or predictions," said Head Coach Ryan Chambers in an email.  "My goals week to week and game to game are really to just see improvement with ball movement, communication, passing accuracy, and defensive structure.  So far, we are improving with those elements every game."

Riley Chambers moves the ball upfield in the Falcons' 4-1 home victory over North Bend.  Photo: Kimberly Lillie

Riley Chambers is leading a strong offensive charge early this season with 4 goals and 5 assists.  Keegan Cook, Ethan Yost, and senior Mason Oilar have all contributed to the scoring.  On the defensive side, coach Chambers sees potential as well.

"Paul Ossowski, Willito Farje, Jacob Admire and new goalie Captain Jaden Palmer are playing well together right now and I expect things to just keep getting stronger on the back line."

Changes in alignment means that the Falcons will have plenty of stern competition on their schedule as former 5A school Marist Catholic and Marshfield both move into the 4A Sky Em for soccer.

"There is potential for every team in our league to be pretty good," noted Chambers.  "Every league game this year will be a battle for sure.  I have confidence in our players to compete with every team in our league."

Falcon's Goalkeeper Jaden Palmer deflects a North Bend shot on goal during Elmira's 4-1 victory on August 28.
 Photo:  Kimberly Lillie

The Falcon's look to go 4-0 Thursday September 6 as they host Banks with a 4:15 start time.