South Medford blanks South Eugene

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2001-10-24

Document text

South Medford blanks South Eugene EUGENE - Coach Dave Potter believed South Medford's non-conference soccer match Friday against South Eugene would be "a good measuring stick" in this early stage of the season. And that was before he learned the Axemen are ranked fourth in the state. Potter's Panthers, who received votes in the weekly state poll this week, will likely move up after blanking South Eugene, 3-0. Justin Baldoni scored twice for South Medford (2-0-1), including an improbable goal that had Potter shaking his head in wonder, and goalkeeper Blake St. Onge continued his stellar play with 70 shutout minutes. "South Eugene is a quality team that is very well coached," said Potter. "They know the game well, so this was a good measuring stick. We played them a year ago and won, 3-1. I told my kids they (Axemen) have a better team this year and it ended up 3-0." After a scoreless first half, Baldoni tallied on a header three minutes into the second half on a cross pass from Kelly King, who was near the touch line and booted the ball across the goal mouth. At 66 minutes, Corey O'Neill scored on an Adam Walport assist, then Baldoni finished the scoring one minute before the match ended. O'Neill and David Lane set up the shot that Potter termed the best of Baldoni's career. "He had an extremely sharp angle," said Potter. "I knew he was going to shoot it. It was one of those where one out of 20 might sneak in. The goalkeeper will get most shots like that. But he hit it about as well as he could hit it." St. Onge, taking over in goal this year after Kyle Hadley starred there a year ago, was impenetrable, then gave way to David Coleman, who finished the final 10 minutes and earned his first save. Coleman had a diving stop in his brief appearance. For the second time in three matches, St. Onge went unscored upon. "Blake has really stepped up," said Potter. "I'm real pleased with what we've seen him do and what he's producing in game situations, especially under pressure." Fullbacks Cody George and Walport were stout defensively and contributed mightily in the transition to offense "with great energy and accuracy," Potter said. North Medford scored its goal as time expired to avoid a shutout.   Girls EAGLE POINT 5, MCKAY 0 - At Salem, Alissa Goslin and Kristina Bateman each had two goals, and for the second time in school history, Eagle Point held a team without a shot on goal. The Eagles (3-1) held a lofty advantage in shots, 31-0, and McKay (0-3) only advanced to Eagle Point territory three times. Terra Jackson also added a goal, while Goslin and Desree Holden each picked up an assist. Senior forward Michelle Snyder finished a cross from Birdseye 10 minutes in to get Rogue River (1-1 overall) off and running. Three minutes later, Birdseye took a pass from sophomore forward Tara Myers and made it 2-0. In the 35th minute, Birdseye completed the scoring with a solo effort. Junior right midfielder Emily Bradford and junior central midfielder Christina Malara also aided the Chieftains, who got all 17 players into action.   Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.