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Phoenix girls claim District 6 soccer crown ROGUE RIVER -- The Phoenix Pirates wrapped up their first District 6 girls soccer championship Tuesday afternoon with a 5-1 victory over Rogue River. The Pirates nursed a 2-1 lead at the half, but blew it open with three unanswered goals in the final 40 minutes. "Things came together," said seventh-year Phoenix coach Dan Sporrer. "We started slowly and maybe we were a little tight. But this was by far the most focused game the kids have played this season. They took a really intense attitude into the game and it lasted for the entire 80 minutes." The victory boosted Phoenix to 10-1-2 with one league match, 4 p.m. Thursday against St. Mary's at Hagler James Park in Talent. The victory was the third straight for the Pirates, who have qualified for the state playoffs three out of the past four years. They reached the state semifinals in 1996 and the second round last year. Their previous bests in 11 District 6 seasons were runner-up finishes in 1996 and 1998. Andy Smith gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead before Rogue River's Casey Pete responded to make it 1-1 with 10 minutes left in the half. Then Lisa Parry put the Pirates on top with a shot from the top of the box on an assist by Annie Kulig. Helen Shorland had two second-half goals for Phoenix, while Jennifer Bones had one. Kulig finished with three assists. Amber Fry, Jessica Montgomery and Chelsi Clark had outstanding defensive efforts the Pirates. "Rogue River runs a three-forward system and all three did an exceptional job of marking their forwards," Sporrer said. "Rogue River definitely has a potent attack." MAZAMA 3, HENLEY 1 -- At Klamath Falls, Dena Young notched her 27th goal of the season for Mazama during its District 6 win. Becky Schwartz gave Henley its only lead of the game, 1-0, three minutes into the game. Young retaliated one-minute later on a penalty kick to tie the contest and Carlie Gonzales gave the Vikings (5-5-2 District 6) the lead for good off an assist from Young at the 23rd minute. Mindy Bishop added the insurance goal at the 66-minute mark in the second half off another assist by Young. For the game, the Hornets (8-5 conference) out-shot Mazama 18-12. District 6 Boys PHOENIX 12, ROGUE RIVER 0 -- Phoenix warmed up for its showdown with St. Mary's on Thursday with a rout of Rogue River at Phoenix. Jesse Shorland scored the first two goals at the 15 and 17-minute mark to jump-start the Pirate offense. John Hendrick added two goals and Shorland picked up two assists to go along with his two scores. The Pirates (6-0-2 District 6) play the Crusaders in Medford at 4 p.m. with the winner claiming the District 6 title. BONANZA 5, NORTH VALLEY 1 -- At Bonanza Shawn Earp scored twice and Tyler Mockridge scored a goal and assisted on another for the Antlers, who led 2-0 at the half. John Handley put North Valley on the scoreboard with nine minutes to play. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.