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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... PREP SOCCER Panthers crowned South Medford seals SWC title against cross-town rival Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:00 AM --> South Medford 2, North Medford 0 WHAT: Kyle Owings has a goal and an assist and Hersson Guitron scores as the Panthers claim their first league championship since 2011. UP NEXT: Class 6... » Read more X South Medford 2, North Medford 0 WHAT: Kyle Owings has a goal and an assist and Hersson Guitron scores as the Panthers claim their first league championship since 2011. UP NEXT: Class 6A state playoffs. » Social News The South Medford boys soccer team accomplished two of its preseason goals on Tuesday night, and the Panthers have a few more they'd like to check off by season's end. Senior captain Kyle Owings had a goal and an assist and junior Hersson Guitron added a goal as South Medford defeated cross-town rival North Medford, 2-0, at Spiegelberg Stadium to secure the Southwest Conference title outright. The league crown is the Panthers' first since 2011. That accomplishment, along with beating the Black Tornado, allowed South (9-1-4, 7-0-3 SWC) to cross off two of its early goals. "When you can accomplish two of your goals, that is a big lift for a team mentally," South first-year head coach Josh Desmond said. "We fought through adversity this season and had some frustrating ties, but we kept digging deep and have found the right recipe." Along the way, South also recorded the most goals (48) at the Class 6A level. The Panthers will next play in a 6A first-round state playoff game on Oct. 31. Owings, who has a team-high 26 goals, took advantage of a Jon Peregrina assist in the 22nd minute to put the Panthers on the scoreboard first. Peregrina took the ball to the corner of the field and sent a cross to Owings, who got a foot on it and tallied from close range. "He's handled the pressure well," Desmond said of Owings, "like a star captain and senior would do. He's determined to win a state title." North nearly tied the match at 1 with less than a minute to go in the first half when Manny Mejia found an open Skye Brownlow on a breakaway. But Brownlow's attempt from about 8 yards out was too strong. In the 57th minute, Guitron scored from the left side from 6 yards away after Owings sent a crisp cross his way. "You've got to be happy with that," Desmond said. South went 8-0 in league play in 2011, ultimately losing to McMinnville in the second round of the state playoffs. Desmond was an assistant then and in 2009, when the Panthers fell in the 6A state finals to South Salem. The current squad reminds him of that South team of six years ago, Desmond said. "We're clicking at the right time, just like with that team," he said. Helping to preserve the triumph was senior defender and captain Josue Reyes. Other big contributors included junior forward Peregrina and senior defender Jason Arcos. "I can say as much about Reyes as I can about Kyle," Desmond said. "He doesn't have the same stats, but he has three or four goals and is our main vocal center back. He is the main presence back there and without him back there it's a different story." Peregrina caused plenty of havoc and almost had a second assist and Arcos was key on the left side, Desmond said. Tim Bangs earned the shutout in goal without much pressure. Center midfielder Rene Torres-Mata and goalkeeper Eric Benitez submitted tough performances for the Black Tornado, which finished in a 2-2 tie with South in their first meeting on Sept. 29. North (4-7-3, 4-4-2) must wait until the OSAA rankings are frozen on Saturday to see if it can claim at-large or play-in qualification for state. It finished fifth in the eight-team league. "We just didn't play our best game today," North head coach Michael Belzberg said. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... Varsity 541 Photos U19 Memorial Day Challenge North Medford vs. Grant State Track & Field 6A-6 SWC District Championships 5A-3 Midwestern League Districts - Day 1 Grants Pass Rotary Invitational » More Photo Galleries Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Contact Us | Advertise | © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.