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--> --> Oct. 31: Grizz boys have a difficult draw By Sarah Petersen Ashland Daily Tidings Hard work is paying off. The Ashland High School boys soccer team captured third-place honors in the Southern Oregon Conference behind champion Klamath Union and South Medford. Their reward is the toughest draw of the postseason. The Grizzlies (10-2) travel to Corvallis Saturday to take on the Crescent Valley Raiders in the second round of the OSAA playoffs. The Raiders (11-3) finished second in the Valley League and are currently ranked fifth in the state. According to the Grizz coach, his charges are up to the challenge. "When you have a group for two or three years you get to know them pretty well," Ashland head coach Eisa Tiaa Toutou said. "Most of these guys play year-round and it makes it exciting because they put in the time in the offseason. They love the game so it is easy for me to coach them because they have the desire to become better players." Two of the starters for the Grizzlies, senior stopper Alex Christlieb and junior midfielder Matt Sharp, believe the reason for their success has to do with becoming a team. "I think a big part of this season has been the fact that we have all gotten to know each other on the field, through practice and games and just being around one another," Christlieb said. "We came together as a team and together we all have the same determination." "We have a lot more experience than last year." Sharp said. "Last year the core group of guys were sophomores. This year we are all a year older and know the game and each other that much better. The seniors go out and set the tone for us during practice. For those of us who are younger they have always taken the lead to push us and make us better." The strategy for Crescent Valley is simple. "We try and go out hard," Sharp said. "We try and establish ourselves within the first 15 minutes of the game so that we have the advantage against our opponent. Most of us have played against these guys in club ball since we were 12 years old so we know some of the things to expect." Confidence won't be a problem going into the playoff game. Ashland has been in the postseason for three consecutive years. "The team has a lot of skill and the knowledge of the game," Toutou said. "They are all very talented. We have great defense and offense. In order to do well against the Raiders we need to all play together as a team. We have to have precision to win. Individually we have the skill, talent and mental capability to beat this team." If the Grizzlies win their first playoff game they play the winner of the Madison-Hood River game at home next Tuesday. "I want to thank the city of Ashland for all of the support they have given this team throughout the season," Toutou said. "They have supported us all the way, and it has been an honor to coach in such a wonderful town." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing