Winning has become almost second nature for reigning 4A boys soccer champion Stayton, which has a 36-1-1 record since the end of the 2023 season.
But even though the Eagles have started this season in dominant fashion – outscoring opponents 17-0 in a 4-0 start – coach Chris Shields knows that they can't afford to get complacent.
“We've had some good moments,” Shields said. “But at the same time, there are guys in spots this year that are going to have to perform, and and they're just kind of slowly getting there. I think we're in a good position, we're just not in a groove yet.”
The Eagles exorcised some ghosts last season by winning their first state title since 2010, ending a four-game losing streak in state championship games. They were snakebit in previous seasons, taking the top seed into the state playoffs in 2021, 2022 and 2024 but failing to reach the final.
Their challenge now is carrying the momentum from last season forward. The results are promising so far as they have defeated Cottage Grove 8-0, Seaside 2-0, South Albany 5-0 and Scappoose 2-0 in nonleague games to extend their unbeaten streak to 22.
Senior forwards Edwyn Perez and Josiah Dessieux have scored five goals apiece and senior goalkeeper Logan Butenchen, a first-year starter, is racking up clean sheets behind a veteran defense.
The back line, which features many of the same players who held foes to a 4A-low eight goals in 2025, is the strength of the team. The group includes seniors Jose Navarro, a 4A first-team selection, Ruben Bell and Omar Villazana-Gonzalez.
“From a defensive standpoint, we didn't have to rebuild the ship,” Shields said. “We're basically where we were last year, if not maybe a little bit stronger.”
The offense graduated three 4A first-team picks in forwards Isaiah Dixon (4A player of the year) and Nick Pelayo and midfielder Johnny Garcia. Pelayo led the team with 14 goals and Dixon had 14 assists.
“The pieces are there, it's just tweaking them so it's a little more finely tuned,” Shields said. “We don't have a Johnny or Isaiah-type player to sit on. You just don't have that maybe college-ready player yet on the offensive side. I think they're on their way.”
Perez, a fourth-year varsity player, and Dessieux, in his third season, have plenty of experience. Senior midfielder Miguel Ceballos and senior forward Noah Klampe, who has moved up from defense this season, were starters in 2025.
Junior forward Cesar Perez, who came off the bench in the state final to score the winning goal, continues to provide punch in a reserve role. Junior forward Dylan Kerrigan has moved into the starting lineup.
“On the offensive side, we're having to plug in players that maybe haven't been asked to do a ton of offensive work,” Shields said. “We have some depth in those positions. I'm not too worried about it.”
Stayton, ranked No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 4A coches poll, will pursue its eighth consecutive title in the Oregon West Conference, where the Eagles have a 45-game unbeaten streak. They must overcome No. 3 Cascade, No. 10 Newport and Central/Perrydale to continue their reign.
North Marion, last year's state runner-up, has moved from the Oregon West to the Tri-Valley Conference. The absence of the Huskies should make the Oregon West a bit less treacherous for Stayton.
“It's nice this year to have a little bit of a break in between games and it doesn't turn into this grind that the Oregon West has been the last couple years, where every game is pins and needles,” Shields said. “Every game is a fight and it kind of wears on your players, runs people down.”
Notes
Boys
Cascade has outscored its opponents 27-1 in winning its first four games. The Cougars have matched their totals for goals and wins from last season, when they went 4-7-3. Junior Julian Cabrera has 10 goals and three assists and sophomore Enrique Alvarez has six goals and five assists. … Lakeridge, No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 6A coaches poll, handed reigning 6A champion Beaverton its first defeat of the season Sept. 16. The Pacers (5-0-1) went on the road to win 3-1 over the co-No. 6 Beavers (3-1-1), getting two goals from senior Zavier Lara and one goal from junior Jackson Romero. … No. 2 Dayton posted a 3-1 at No. 5 Westside Christian, the reigning state champion, in a 3A/2A/1A nonleague game Sept. 17. Senior Gerardo Garcia (two goals, one assist) and junior Jesus Cuevas (one goal, two assists) led the Pirates. … Senior Max Morrison's goal was the difference as No. 2 Cleveland edged co-No. 6 McMinnville 1-0 in a 6A nonleague game at the Marshall Campus on Sept. 17. … No. 1 Catlin Gabel erupted to beat No. 4 Oregon Episcopal 7-2 in a 3A Special District 1 match Sept. 18. Junior Mason Campbell found the net twice for the host Eagles. … Junior Aaron Prestopine's goal in the 67th minute lifted No. 2 Valley Catholic to a 1-0 home win over No. 7 North Marion in a 4A nonleague match Sept. 17.
Girls
No. 1 Catlin Gabel took down No. 2 Oregon Episcopal 1-0 in a 3A/2A/1A Special District 1 match Sept. 18. In the 41st minute, junior Meera Mohit scored from 20 yards out off a pass from freshman Matilda Hill for the host Eagles, who improved to 7-0. It was the first loss of the season for Oregon Episcopal (5-1-1). The teams meet again Friday in a nonleague game at Oregon Episcopal. The Aardvarks bounced back Monday with a 7-1 home win over 4A No. 5 Valley Catholic. Senior Cassidy Paulson had four goals for Oregon Episcopal. … No. 4 Grant dominated No. 10 West Linn 5-0 on the road in a 6A nonleague game Sept. 14. Freshman Callie Jaffee scored twice for the Generals (3-0-1), who have won three in a row since a 1-1 tie with No. 3 Central Catholic. … Nelson has cracked the 6A coaches poll at No. 9 after opening the season 5-0. … Sandy, which has outscored opponents 16-0 in winning its first four matches, has moved up two spots to No. 3 in the 5A coaches poll. North Eugene vaulted Bend to take over the top spot in the 5A rankings. … Jesuit, ranked No. 1 in 6A and No. 2 in the nation (United Soccer Coaches), routed Bellarmine Prep (Wash.) 7-0 on Sept 18 and Tualatin 8-0 on Monday to improve to 6-0. The Crusaders have outscored their foes 31-0.
jerryu@osaa.org
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