Both the Tigard boys and girls soccer teams are on the younger side this year, but both teams are looking to use stellar defense to make some noise in the Three Rivers League.
As of our press deadline, the boys teams is 2-0 and has yet to give up a goal this season. The girls team is coming off a shutout win against Cleveland and sits at 1-1.
Here’s a closer look at how the season is going early into the year for each team.
Boys Team
The boys team is off to a 2-0 start on the year thanks to two 2-0 victories.
Head Coach David Bello credits the team’s defensive prowess to quicker decision making.
“We’re stronger in the back and being quicker on the ball,” he said. “I think that has actually showed much improvement this year with not being more focused on dribbling too many times. It’s just being quick with the passing and the movements, finding that vision when we can find the guys that are getting out wide, and finding those diagonal balls in the corner.”
One standout so far for Tigard has been junior Ulises Trujillo Lopez, who picked up a goal and an assist in the first game of the season. Last year, Lopez was Tigard’s lone selection for the All-Three River League First Team.
Bello said Lopez is comfortable with the ball and always has an idea of where he wants to direct action on the field. That’s why the team has transitioned the offense more in the middle of the field, Bello said.
“That way we can actually to connect more passes with him,” Bello said. “He’s been a strong tracker inside the middle, more with passing and being able to have that creativity, and being able to attack using his vision and finding those diagonal balls up top.”
Tigard had two players make the all-league second team last year, both as sophomores, and Bello said he’s looking at those two players to also lead the Tigers this year. Those players are midfielder Walter Mendenhall and defender Gavin Goodrich.
In Tigard’s second game, Daniel Oller broke a scoreless tie with a goal with 6:12 to in the game. Goodrich sealed the win with an impressive header for a goal off an assist on a deep free kick from Hunter DeSanno.
Girls Team
The Tigard girls soccer team had some big shoes to fill coming into the season. Last year, three Tigers were named to the All-Three Rivers League First Team, and all three of those players were seniors who graduated and are now playing Division I in college, including Kiera Grant, who was named Player of the Year in the Three Rivers League.
Still, Head Coach Scott Eggleston said this year’s team has a solid mix of returning talent and young players eager to step into those roles on the team.
“We have a program and a culture where we believe we have people to fill those roles,” he said. “We have a group that’s ready to step into those roles. They just have to have some time to get there. Those are hard shoes to fill, but I want them to be themselves. If they give me their best, I’ll be happy.”
Eggleston praised the early play of three forwards who have made an immediate impact this year, junior Mia Sadek, sophomore Mia Newton, and senior Harlyn Tischhauser.
“Both Mia’s give us that speed on the outside, and our physicality comes from Harlyn, a senior who has really stepped up,” he said.
Tigard was held scoreless to open the year in a loss to a team from Idaho. The Tigers were locked in a scoreless battle at home against Cleveland in their second game. Newton had a few good looks on goal throughout the game, but couldn’t convert until Tischhauser dished her a nice pass in front of the net and she blasted a shot by the Cleveland goalie with 11:48 left in the game.
Junior goalie Brianna Burum kept Cleveland off the scoreboard with a number of impressive saves, including a diving one off a header with seven-plus minutes to go in the game.
Eggleston has been impressed with the team’s defense so far this year.
“We’ve got some superstars back there,” he said, shouting out juniors Ella Naser and Amelia Shelby.
“We also have a few freshman, Adaline Ransom and Miriya Kira, who have been playing spectacular,” he said. “They’ve been playing that level that you really need.”
