PORTLAND – Just like in early September, two-time reigning state champion Jesuit got all it could handle from visiting Lincoln on Tuesday night in the semifinals of the 6A girls soccer playoffs.
And once again, the top-seeded Crusaders (16-0-1) did just enough to turn back the No. 5 Cardinals (13-4-1), getting a goal from senior Natalie Webber in the 13th minute to win 1-0 and set up a chance for a three-peat.
It was the same score as Sept. 3, when Webber drove home a free kick with 10 minutes left for the lone goal. This time, Webber converted an assist from senior Lucy Thomas for her team-leading 28th goal of the season and senior Sofia Vera recorded the shutout, extending the Crusaders' unbeaten streak to 52 games.
“It was a night to fight and battle,” Jesuit coach Steve Fennah said. “I don't think either team played the quality of football that they'd probably like to play, in terms of connecting passes and everything like that. So it became a slog-fest. It was just a night to step up and show grit.”
Other than a scoreless draw with Grant, the two games against Lincoln are Jesuit's closest matches this season. The Crusaders, ranked second in the nation by United Soccer Coaches, have outscored their opponents 81-3.
“Lincoln is definitely one of our stronger opponents just because they play so quick,” Webber said. “They're so fast and they're just really strong, so they match us really well in that aspect. They definitely bring a level of energy that's different from a lot of other teams. It challenges us to match that.”
It was a bittersweet night for the Georgetown-bound Webber, though. She left the game late in the first half with an ankle injury, leaving her status for Saturday's final up in the air. The Crusaders will meet No. 3 Central Catholic (16-1-1) in the championship game at Hillsboro Stadium.
“It just got twisted up,” Webber said. “I heard it pop. I don't know if that was my ankle. We'll see. Hopefully it's nothing too bad and I can be back for Saturday.”
Without Webber, the Crusaders will have to modify their approach, much like they did Tuesday.
“Big impact, obviously,” Fennah said. “She's a threat on corners and free kicks, and she's important to us defensively on free kicks. And that's aside from her obvious outstanding field play. So it certainly had an impact. That's why I'm so proud of the kids for stepping up and dealing with that.”
Junior Eva Hairston said that Webber is “definitely our key player.”
“She really helps us with shooting and just getting the ball and moving around and navigating,” Hairston said. “I think when she came out, we lost it for a quick second. Then when we added our new players in, we figured it out. We didn't score, obviously, but we were able to keep it controlled and just play possession.”
Jesuit will be going for its fourth title in five seasons and eighth in 11 seasons. The Crusaders have won 17 state championships – tied with Catlin Gabel for the state record – with 12 coming under Fennah.
“The journey was a little different this year,” Hairston said of reaching the final. “We played a lot more difficult teams. We lost last year's seniors, who were pretty amazing. I think that everyone improved. I think every year we get a little bit better.”
Webber said the chemistry between the veterans and younger players was key for the team.
“The older girls lead by example, and I think the younger girls follow that,” Webber said. “That's what makes this group so special is that we learn form each other, we fight for each other.
“Going to the final again, it's crazy to think that we've been able to do it three years in a row. But we worked hard for it. We definitely deserve it.”
Lincoln was bidding to make the state final for the first time since winning back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008. The Cardinals were able to put pressure on Jesuit but could not get the final touch they needed.
“I thought we created opportunities,” Lincoln coach Kendall Johnson said. “I was proud of the way we played on the field, and in the final third, we just couldn't get that final piece down. Credit to Jesuit. They're really dangerous on their set pieces, and they got us there.”
A rundown of Tuesday's other semifinal matches:
6A
Third-seeded Central Catholic earned its spot in the final by dropping No. 7 Mountainside 2-0. Joan VanSandt scored off a corner kick in the 49th minute and Claire Sdrulla followed three minutes later with a 30-yard rocket into the upper right corner of the goal. The Rams' only finals appearance was in 2007, when they were runners-up to Lincoln.
5A
No. 9 La Salle Prep, which knocked off top-seeded North Eugene in the quarterfinals, defeated fourth-seeded and reigning state champion Bend 2-1. The host Lava Bears struck first, getting a free kick from Shea Manfredi three minutes into the match. The Falcons drew even in the 15th minute on a goal by Lila Chipps, assisted by Ali Estlund, and took a 2-1 lead in the 32nd minute when when Sidney Brown scored off a feed from Chipps. … No. 11 Silverton continued its surprising playoff run by beating No. 2 Sandy 2-1. The Pioneers took a 1-0 lead on a header, but the Foxes scored the next two goals to lead 2-1 at half. Tensley Tegman curved a corner kick into the goal and Braelyn Walter hit a 40-yard shot into the upper corner.
4A
No. 4 Marist Catholic, the two-time reigning champion, broke out with four second-half goals to beat top-seeded The Dalles/Dufur 4-0 in a rematch of last year's state final. Tori Sherman got the Spartans on the board three minutes into the second half with a 25-yard blast into the top side netting. Libby McLaughlin scored off a cross from Avery Hickman in the 53rd minute, then McLaughlin assisted Lexi Hudson (75th minute) and Kiara Philyaw (80th minute) on goals off corner kicks. Marist Catholic had a 24-7 edge in shots. The Spartans posted their 12th consecutive shutout and 31st consecutive win. … Natalie Howard scored in the 24th minute as No. 2 Scappoose dispatched No. 3 Henley 1-0. The scoring play unfolded when Kate Kessi made a run up the sideline and crossed the ball into the box, where Aubrey Haas made a back-heel pass into the middle. Howard won a 50-50 challenge from a defender and placed the ball into the goal. The Indians did not allow a shot on target in recording their 13th shutout. They lost in the semifinals the last two years.
3A/2A/1A
Top-seeded Catlin Gabel rolled over No. 13 Sisters 8-0, ending the match by mercy rule in the 58th minute. Lia Peng-Field scored the first three goals and Alana Hill also had a hat trick for the Eagles. Matilda Hill had a goal and two assists and Sammy Wells also found the net. … Cassidy Paulson scored four goals, and Peyton Lamka and Stella Zupan had single tallies, to lead No. 2 Oregon Episcopal past No. 3 Western Christian/Perrydale 6-0. Paulson has 52 goals this season, tied with Marist Catholic's Cloe Chase (2023) for a third all-time behind Jesuit's Callan Harrington (55, 2019) and Hillsboro's Tiffeny Milbrett (54, 1990). Her 132 career goals also stands third, behind Wilsonville's Lindsey Antonson (139, 2018-21) and Harrington (133, 2016-19).
jerryu@osaa.org
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