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PREP SOCCER: Palomino hat trick powers Phoenix By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Sep 29, 2022 09:31 PM A A PHOENIX — While their nonleague schedule proved to be quite the tough task, the Phoenix boys soccer team has found success in the early goings of Skyline Conference play. That trend continued Thursday night, as senior Daniel Palomino netted a hat trick and Phoenix won its third straight to open league play, building a three-goal lead going into halftime en route to a 4-2 win over Hidden Valley at P-T Rising Field. “We knew that we’ve been kinda wishy-washy and our identity has been tough to find,” said Phoenix head coach Chris Gallegos. “Tonight we really wanted to show everybody what we’re about and we came out on fire. They came out with everything they had tonight instead of 75 or 80% — and it showed. We dominated from start to finish.” Palomino was in the center of the strong start for the Pirates (3-4-1, 3-0 Skyline), giving his team a 1-0 lead 15 minutes in on a shot from 25 yards out. Seven minutes later, Phoenix doubled its lead through Palomino, as he was on the receiving end of a Dominic Crenshaw free kick. The Pirates made it 3-0 eight minutes before the half, with Isaia Pinon crossing it from a tight angle to Jenner Selden, who did the rest. Palomino finished off his three-goal night with a 65th-minute strike after a nice cross into the center of the penalty area from Erik Reyes-Medina following a failed Hidden Valley clearance. “He’s just that guy,” said Gallegos of Palomino. “He’s never really been a true forward and has always played defense or midfield for us, but he’s now playing as an attacking midfielder and understanding a more advanced role. I’ve coached him since he was 7 years old and he understands what he needs to help the team.” Joaquin Martinez scored both goals for Hidden Valley (4-2-1, 0-2) to cut into the Phoenix lead. His first came on a curling free kick to the near post from 22 yards out before heading home a Mustangs corner kick a few minutes later to make it 4-2. Phoenix’s two center backs, Crenshaw and Cielo Marlia-Larsen, had strong showings in defense and “kept everything under control,” according to Gallegos. Girls EAGLE POINT 1, HENLEY 1, tie: At Eagle Point, senior Raegan Hussey scored with 13 minutes to go as Eagle Point pulled even in the tightly-contested match with Class 4A Henley. Hussey was able to make a run down the right wing and sent in a shot toward the back post from just outside the 18-yard box to put the Eagles (2-1-2) level. After a scoreless first half, Henley (2-3-3) took a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute on a Halle McKay goal. Eagles freshman Yvette Espinoza had a strong game in midfield, while senior forward Shelby Tilley put the Henley defense under pressure for much of the night. EP keeper Jillyann Cope Huntley finished with three big saves. HIDDEN VALLEY 5, PHOENIX 0: At Murphy, Phoenix senior Sofi Rodriguez had a strong game in the middle and junior Jayden Vos came up with 15 saves but a short-handed Pirates squad couldn’t stave off the steady pressure by Hidden Valley in the Skyline Conference loss. Sasha Pelson scored multiple goals for Hidden Valley (4-2, 2-0 Skyline), which led 2-0 at halftime. Phoenix (2-6, 0-3), already with a light roster, was missing two starters and had one substitute for the match. CASCADE CHRISTIAN 1, BROOKINGS-HARBOR 1, tie: Cascade Christian saw Brookings-Harbor score via a 76th-minute penalty kick to tie things up as the two teams played to a draw at Lithia & Driveway Fields. The penalty was a result of a Cascade player being called for a handball in the box as she tried to cover her face on a shot attempt by Brookings (2-3-2, 2-3-2 District 4). The Challengers (2-5-1, 2-4-1) opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Emma Coats sent Autumn Murray through on goal. Cascade center back Jordynn Jones had one of her best games defensively, while keeper Josie Scaglione finished with six saves. LAKEVIEW/PAISLEY 4, ST. MARY’S 3: At Lakeview, St. Mary’s used a goal by Isabella Mussio to take a 3-2 lead in the 85th minute but Lakeview/Paisley answered with a tying goal a minute later and tacked on another with about five seconds left on the clock to nab the District 4 victory. Emma Meyer scored on a nice drop ball from Lucy Maxwell in the fifth minute for the Crusaders (3-4-1, 3-3-1 Dist. 4) but the Honkers (6-2, 5-2) got a goal from Karlee Vickerman 15 minutes later. In the 39th minute, goalkeeper Katelynn Balsiger played a dropkick over the top of the defense and Mussio finished with her first goal to create a 2-1 halftime edge. A tying goal by Savannah Greenfield was negated when Mussio scored her second goal off a corner kick by Carmel Ashland.