Mail Tribune Sports - Hidden Valley wins state title

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Hidden Valley wins state title LAKE OSWEGO � Hidden Valley�s Evan Cope made the most of a timely opportunity in the Class 3A/2A/1A boys state soccer championship Saturday. Cope capitalized on a miscue by Catlin Gabel goalie Brian Close in the first minute of the second overtime period to score the game�s only goal as the Eagles lost in the state finals for the second straight year. The 1-0 victory gave No. 5-ranked Hidden Valley (16-1) its second boys state soccer title. The Mustangs, who reached the state semifinals in 1997 and 1998, defeated LaSalle 4-1 in the 1993 finals. And Hidden Valley reached this year�s finals by defeating top-ranked and two-time defending state champion LaSalle in the semifinals Tuesday. Ironically, it was Catlin Gabel (16-3-1) which handed Hidden Valley its lone loss this year. The District 1 champions defeated the Mustangs 3-1 in an early-season match. "It was a very defensive game," said Catlin Gabel coach Mike Davis, who has guided the Eagles to four state titles and three co-championships since 1988. "None of the stars could really get going. We certainly bottled up Matt Johnson. And they did a great job on both our top players Josh Duyan and Ben Leftwitch." The high-scoring Johnson has tallied 32 goals this season. The Mustangs broke the scoreless deadlock when Mosiah Artenga lofted a corner kick near the Eagles� net early in the second of two 10-minute overtime periods. "It ended up with our keeper having to make an easy catch," said Davis, "but he dropped it." Cope got his foot on the loose ball and converted for the winning goal. Hidden Valley ended with a 19-7 shots on goal advantage and a 12-6 margin in corner kicks. Hidden Valley junior goalie Tim Vanderstoel was credited with three saves in preserving the shutout.   Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.