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South boys pick up first win of the season South Medford answered a big preseason challenge Friday when it knocked off South Eugene in a battle of Class 4A boys soccer heavyweights at Fichtner-Mainwaring Park. It was not an unfamiliar matchup: South Medford defeated South Eugene for the state title in 1997. The following year, the Axemen won the championship, and last season, the Panthers beat South Eugene in the state quarterfinals. So Friday�s match was more significant than most non-conference games. "These are the matchups you have to be ready for even if it�s the preseason," South Medford coach Dave Potter said. "These programs have matched up well over the years." South Medford scored two first-half goals, then held off an inspired effort by South Eugene after the break to come way with its first victory of the season. Midfielder Corey Parks and forward Justin Baldoni accounted for the Panthers� (1-1-1) goals, but both scores were set up by excellent plays by Pat Lower and Jon McCollum. "Lower and McCollum on the wings played one of the best games I�ve ever seen them play," said Potter. "They made some magical things happen out there through hard work." Lower got an assist on the opening goal about 20 minutes into the contest when he sent a pass across the Axemen goal mouth. South Eugene�s goalie punched the ball away from the net, but Parks played it on one bounce from about 25 yards and put the shot into the net "It was a spectacular finish," said Potter. "He�s (Parks) one of those players that�s capable of pulling something like that out." A determined individual effort by McCollum, who three times fought past solid defensive pressure, was instrumental in the Panthers� second goal. After getting a final move on the Axemen, McCollum provided a crossing pass near the goal, where Corey O�Neill flicked the ball away from the goalie. Baldoni, in perfect position, headed the ball into the net. "Eugene stepped up their pace of play in the second half considerably," said Potter. "They had several very good opportunities right off the whistle. They came out to make amends for the first half." South Medford backup goalie Blake St. Onge played a key role in helping the Panthers maintain their lead. "He was the goalkeeper put under duress and he came out big," said Potter. "He rose to the occasion. He had to, otherwise they would have been back in the game." Senior sweeper Craig Tomlins, a three-year starter at the position, used his experience to help the Panthers thwart South Eugene�s attack. "He just plays with such composure," said Potter. "He reads everything well enough not to get himself in trouble and starts the good attacking when we get it." CORVALLIS 1, NORTH MEDFORD 0 � North Medford had the better attack, but one defensive mistake proved costly in the non-conference game at District Field. The Black Tornado (0-1) failed to clear the ball from its defensive zone and Corvallis capitalized for the only score three minutes into the game. North had excellent first-half chances to score by Dominic Crenshaw and Kedric Charlton. After intermission, much of the action was played at the Spartans� end of the field, but North came away with nothing to show for it. The Black Tornado defensive effort was spearheaded by Josh Grace, Ben Clark, Dustin Wallace and Justin Bilodeau North Medford finished with seven shots to five for Corvallis. HIDDEN VALLEY 3, OREGON EPISCOPAL 0 � At Portland, Matt Johnson assisted on all three Hidden Valley goals as the Mustangs rolled to a non-conference win. Ben Downing gave Hidden (3-0) Valley a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the second half and Dillon Thayer added another score 16 minutes later. Sophomore T.J. Thayer added the final touches on the win with his first varsity goal in the 64th minute. Girls SOUTH EUGENE 4, SOUTH MEDFORD 0 � At Eugene, after playing to a 0-0 first-half tie, South Eugene exploded with two goals in the first five minutes of the second period. Melissa Purvis gave South Eugene the initial lead with a score 2:31 into the second half, then Liz Young got the first of two goals about two minutes later. Junior forwards Colleen Salisbury and Erin Reno accounted for seven shots for the Panthers (1-2). Salisbury had two attempts hit the crossbar. CORVALLIS 2, NORTH MEDFORD 0 � At Corvallis, Erica Porter and Ashley Covey scored first-half goals in the non-conference game. North Medford plays at South Eugene today. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA