
As a semifinalist in three of the last four seasons, Grant's boys soccer team has come tantalizingly close to reaching the 6A final for the first time since 2014.
The Generals have been turned away in the final four each time, though, including 2-1 losses to Jesuit in 2023 and McMinnville last year.
“We've had so many teams that have been unfortunate in those big games,” Grant coach Erik Miller said. “Maybe it hasn't gone the way we all wanted it to. It's harsh. They all sting.”
This season, it appears the Generals (10-2-1, 5-0 Portland Interscholastic League) are ramping up for another serious bid. Ranked No. 6 in this week's OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, they carry an 11-game unbeaten streak into a PIL showdown at second-place Cleveland (7-2-4, 4-1) on Tuesday night.
“I tell them, 'The sky's the limit for this group,'” Miller said. “We know there are really good teams out there, and hopefully we can be one of them.”
The season started off a bit rocky as the Generals lost to No. 1 West Linn 1-0 and No. 8 McNary 3-2 in their first two matches. Some of their key players were beat up from a busy summer club season, throwing a wrench into team chemistry.
“Those games could have gone either way, but I would take the adversity over not having it,” Miller said. “It humbled us, first and foremost. It was clear we still had a lot of work to do. The captains led a team meeting and talked about a lot of different things. It just took us some time to get everybody on the same page.”
Once that happened, the Generals took off. They beat Reynolds 3-2 for their first victory and have outscored their last 10 opponents 23-2. The only blemish during that run is a scoreless draw at Jesuit.
“They've been finding different ways to win games,” Miller said. “They're getting a lot of confidence from that.”
Once again, defense is Grant's calling card. The Generals, who allowed only 10 goals in the regular season last year, have yielded eight goals with two games remaining.
Senior center back Owen Bonnin, a 6A second-team pick last season, leads an experienced back line that includes senior Liam Siel and junior Callum Broadfoot. They have helped keep the heat off senior goalkeeper Travis Lobdell, a first-year starter.
Bonnin also leads the team with six goals.
“He's just a special player,” Miller said. “He has a good knack of being in the right place at the right time, and you could argue the same on the offensive side.”
Much like in recent seasons, Grant doesn't have a prolific striker, but finds a way to manufacture goals. Bonnin, senior forwards Gideon McDonald, Nemo Matthews and Arly Hindery and junior forward Ewan Massimino have been opportunistic.
Entering the season, one of the main question marks for the Generals was their ability to capitalize on chances. They have proven to be resourceful in that area.
“They've bought into the fact that we need to be a little more unselfish, make the soccer play, make the extra pass,” Miller said. “Things are coming a little more smoothly these days. We're learning how to score in different ways.”
Grant showed that offensive versatility Oct. 14 by going on the road for a 2-1 win over No. 7 Lincoln (8-3-2, 3-1-1), the team's most important result so far. The Generals took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Bonnin converted a corner kick by Massimino. They took a 2-1 lead with 17 minutes left when Massimino headed in a cross by junior Sawyer Brakken.
Grant, which shared the PIL title with Lincoln and Franklin last year, can claim it outright with a win over Cleveland on Tuesday. The Generals have won at least a share of the PIL title five times since 2015. They won their only state championship in 2008.
Notes:
No. 1 West Linn (10-0-2, 3-0) plays at No. 2 Lakeridge (10-0-2, 3-0) on Tuesday night for sole possession of first place in the 6A Three Rivers League. West Linn handed Lake Oswego (4-4-4, 2-1) its only league loss with a 4-0 home win Oct. 13. Zander Morris, Tristan Peia, Cooper Roms and Cooper Gilbo found the net for the Lions. Gilbo also had two assists. … No. 4 Beaverton locked up the outright 6A Metro League title by winning at Jesuit 1-0 on Oct. 16 and at home over Westview 2-0 on Monday. The Beavers, who shared the league title with Jesuit last season, dropped the Crusaders on a penalty kick by Gio Ruano in the 65th minute. They dispatched Westview behind goals by Owen Brooks and Cal Spear. …
By virtue of a 1-0 home win over South Salem on Oct. 10, McNary (7-3-2, 4-0-1) stands alone atop the 6A Central Valley Conference, ahead of the Saxons (8-2-2. 4-1). Nicholai Friedman's goal in the 64th minute was the difference. The teams meet again at South Salem on Oct. 28. … Riverside, ranked No. 7 in 3A/2A/1A, avenged its only loss in Special District 6 by going on the road Saturday to defeat No. 8 McLoughlin 3-1. Riverside led 3-0 at half on goals by Hugo Ceron, Wilson Rodriguez and Francisco Jimenez. McLoughlin (10-4, 8-1) won 2-0 at Riverside (10-2-1, 7-1) in the first round of district play.