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Swenson saves day for South in win over Indians South Medford boys soccer coach Dave Potter inserted Lars Swenson into the starting lineup against Roseburg Saturday to boost the Panthers' lagging offense. Swenson capitalized on the opportunity by scoring one goal and assisting on another as South defeated Roseburg 3-1 at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park. Prior to Saturday's match, South had not scored more than two goals in a game this season. "We've really been struggling putting the ball into the net," Potter said. "Lars has been showing a lot in practice and he came on strong for sure." The Panthers scored three first-half goals -- at the second, sixth and 33rd minutes. Ethan Wallenberg provided South a 1-0 lead when he got control of a bouncing ball in the box and put it into the net from 15 yards out. Swenson's impact was evident on the Panthers' second goal. The senior forward beat a defender and sent a crossing pass to Josh Neville, who made a far-post run and one-touched a shot into the goal. "It was one of the prettiest goals we've scored all year," said Potter. "It was set up primarily by Lars Swenson, who won two battles to get the pass off." Roseburg cut the margin to 2-1 at the 29th minute when the Panthers committed a defensive mistake and Justin Rinaker scored for the Indians. Swenson completed the scoring when he went to the goal with a quick move that proved successful. With winds gusting to an estimated 30 mph, neither team could score after intermission. The victory keeps South's playoff hopes alive after losing two of its past three SOC matches. South lost to SOC leader Ashland on Oct. 2, then suffered a heartbreaking shootout loss to North Medford last Tuesday. "It was a significant game for me as a coach," Potter said, "because it showed me what the boys could do after a pair of tough loses. I didn't know how the boys would respond." NORTH MEDFORD 4, EAGLE POINT 1 --North Medford coach Rich Garcia feared an emotional letdown after a big win over rival South on Tuesday, but the Black Tornado did what was necessary to improve to 3-2 in the SOC. North (7-4-1, 3-2 SOC) got four goals from four different players and outshot the Eagles 14-7 at Varsity Field. Johnny Whitaker and Scott Jolly gave North a 2-0 first half lead before the Eagles cashed in on Brad Crawford's free kick from 20 yards out near the end of the first period. In the second half, North received an early goal from Dan Zimmer, then Andrew Huycke completed the scoring. North goalie Chris Barringer and Eagle Point keeper Nathan Scudder both played strong in the net. ASHLAND 3, CRATER 0 -- At Ashland, sophomore wing Jesse Hodges notched a hat trick in helping the Grizzlies (8-0-4, 5-0 SOC) remain undefeated. Hodges took a pass from Eric Sharp at the 27th minute and fired a low, bouncing ball from 12 yards out that hopped over the outstretched hands of Crater goalie Leo Espinoza. Hodges struck again in the 60th minute off another assist by Sharp as he split two defenders and punched a shot into the net. Zack Potocki nearly added a goal four minutes later, only to be denied on a spectacular diving save by Espinoza. Hodges closed out the scoring in the 65th minute on a pass from Dustin Wasserman. KLAMATH UNION 1, GRANTS PASS 0 --Phil VanBuren scored the game's only goal off an assist from Luis Garcia in the 59th minute as Klamath Union edged Grants Pass. The Pelicans outshot the Cavemen 16-10 but Grants Pass stayed in the match thanks to superb goaltending from sophomore Matt Lamont. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.