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52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, November 15, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 14, 2004 Phoenix�s Jaime Escobedo (6), who scored both of the Pirates� goals in the 2-0 playoff win over Central, tries to avoid a defender during Saturday�s game. Mail Tribune / Andrew Mariman It’s deja vu for final-four bound Phoenix By ROB McCALLUM Mail Tribune TALENT — Is there an echo at Colver Field? Four days after winning their opening playoff game 2-0, the Phoenix boys soccer team did it again, beating Central by the same score Saturday afternoon to advance to the state semifinals. Just like on Tuesday, both of the Pirates’ goals came from senior forward Jaime Escobedo. And if that isn’t enough deja vu for you, both of Escobedo’s goals were mirror images of each other — 5-yard shots to the far left side of the net off cross passes. "It’s kind of funny how it worked out like that," Escobedo said after Phoenix improved to 15-1. "We were going to take advantage of any gaps they left, and they just happened to leave that one open twice." Advertisement Escobedo now has four postseason goals and the Phoenix defense has two shutouts. The Pirates defeated Wilsonville Tuesday. "We are happy to go to Jaime for our offense, and the other guys don’t mind," Phoenix coach Dennis Flenner said. "But the great thing is, we don’t have to rely on him." Both of Escobedo’s goals came in the first half. In the 25th minute, sophomore midfielder Albaro Gonzalez fired a cross pass from the left side of the box to Escobedo, who sent the ball well past the Central goalie. Eight minutes later, senior forward Uriel Castillo was in the same position as Gonzalez, and sent an identical pass to Escobedo off a rebound. "I had perfect passes," Escobedo said. "All I had to do was put them in." Amazingly, Escobedo’s two goals were on his first two shots. "I think (Central) underestimated Jaime," Flenner said. "He was really anxious to come out and score some early goals, and he did." In the second half, Phoenix found that their best defense was a strong offense, and the Pirates kept the ball in Central territory for much of the half. "We were able to take control because we didn’t get tired," Flenner said. "We cycled players in and kept the pressure on." The Pirates had several good looks, but weren’t able to extend their lead. Phoenix failed to convert three free kicks and watched three corner kicks go wide. Two other shots went straight to the Panther goalie, and a Ricardo DeLaTorre shot hit the near post. "We had a few opportunities that we couldn’t take advantage of," Flenner said. "Still, we were discriminating in our shots and didn’t take quick ones ... they just didn’t go in." Central had opportunities of its own. The Panthers’ Michael Phillips put a ball into the net in the eighth minute but was ruled offside. In the second half, Adal Ordonez sent a shot that rolled just inches from the goal line but was cleared by senior sweeper Nathan Bursk. "It’s like we’re on the same brain waves," Bursk said of the defense. "We all know when to defer and when to attack." Escobedo credited the midfield and fullbacks for pushing the ball upfield. "Nobody has scored on us yet, and that puts us in a position to win big," Escobedo said. "Defenses win championships." Goalkeeper John Rowden had three saves in the net. Phoenix outshot Central, 11-4. The Pirates advance to face No. 7-ranked Gladstone in the final four Tuesday. After two home playoff games, Phoenix will travel to the Portland suburb. The Gladiators will be Phoenix’s second Tri-Valley League opponent in the playoffs. Wilsonville is from the same league. Tri Valley champion LaSalle faces Hidden Valley in the other semifinal matchup. "We’re excited," Bursk said. "We’ve never been this far in the playoffs. It’s like a dream." Reach reporter Rob McCallum at 776-4480 Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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