Jensen Scores Hat Trick as Monte Rolls by United

Montesano's Jason Franks (#10) controls the ball by a physical Mike White (#22). Monte Head Coach Erik Stanfield said "We knew coming down here that these guys play tough soccer".

Montesano Forward Derek Jensen scored a “hat trick” as the Montesano Bulldogs earned a hard-fought 3-2 1A Evergreen League soccer victory over Toledo/Winlock United on Saturday afternoon in Winlock.

Montesano's Derek Jensen (#4) scored three goals against Toledo-Winlock United. In this case, he is defended by Jesse Holbrook (#15).

The Bulldogs jumped out quickly with a breakaway goal just 90 seconds into the game as Jensen got behind the United defenders. Monte’s second goal came off a free kick when Curtis McConnell put the ball into a soft spot right in front of United Goalie Conor Sathre. Jensen spent little effort slapping the ball into the net and crediting McConnell with the assist.

Max Hernandez scored a breakaway goal just 53 seconds after the break but in the 53rd minute, Jensen scored his 3rd goal.

United Forward Max Hernandez (#9) scored one goal, but seldom was left uncontested for open shots or passes.

Five minutes later, United Forward Enrique Ramirez found the net after a messy sequence of events for the Bulldogs.

United's Enriquie Rameriez (#8) scored the last goal of the game, but here he is defended closely by Aaron Ross (#14) of Montesano.

“There were some shots that could have went either way,” said Montesano Head Coach Erik Stanfield. “We were up 2-nil at half and you have to come out strong. Those teams that want it, want it and they came back.

From that point, United had many opportunities but Monte Goalie Gonzalo Gaona had many of his 10 saves in the waning minutes of the game. In all, United had 22 shots, but most were contested while the Bulldogs accounted for 27 shots and many of those were defended by the embattled goalie Sathre.

United Goal Keeper Conor Sathre guards agressively. Here he stopped Curtis McConnell (#7)well away from the goal and managed to come away with the ball. Mike Ayon (#35) is in the air trying not to land on his galie.

United Coach Hugo Molina said that his team’s weakness was their lack of hustle to the ball on defense. “They need to go after the ball more aggressively,” he said. “They think it is going to go through the man and then come to them”.

“We had a tough game up in Forks two days ago,” continued Stanfield. “It was a tough loss for us. We knew coming down here that these guys play tough soccer every time we play them. They are one of the teams that play a different formation in a 4-3-3 and that puts a lot of pressure on your defense.”

Montesano keeper Gonsalo Gaona had 10 saves against 22 shoots from United.

“We graduated a ton last year, so we are a really new team this year.,“ said the Monte Coach who's team is now 1-1 while United falls to 1-2.

“We have put in a whole new formation that we are still working with so our biggest thing coming into this game was the hustle factor. We were going to take the ball away on every point of attack. That is what we did not do at Forks and we paid the price for it,” described the Bulldog Head Coach.

“If people are going to beat us, it is not going to be because they out hustle us,” continued Stanfield. “That was our goal coming into tonight and I give credit to United. They put a lot of pressure on our defense for a while there. We knew that was coming and we practiced for it. It kind of fell our way.

Monte will host La Center on Tuesday while United will have Stevenson at home on Tuesday before traveling to Forks on Thursday.

Area Fastpitch back for Another Year of Domination

Last Spring just like baseball, District 4 fastpitch dominated the bracket with three out of the top four finishers. It was Montesano that defeated Castle Rock 3-0 in the final. Montesano had to climb over La Center in the semi-finals and Onalaska had a first round win.

Onalaska's Amber Durand slaps at a pitch during last spring's District playoffs.

In fast pitch, most coaches will tell you it is all about pitching and the Lady Bulldogs have it. They bring back to pitchers from last years team. Mikayla Shumate and Devyn Baker that were 1st team all Evergreen. La Center returns Natasha Moore as well as Trico League first-teamers Mariah Dawson and Brooke Gaston.

Castle Rock has to be considered a favorite with the number of returning players. While they graduated Samantha Watkins, they return all but two of their all-district players from a team that went to the state championship.

Onalaska has big shoes to fill on the mound with the departure of Kaylie Stanley, but remember the plethora of athletes available to make the Loggers competitive. Kalie Ritchey, Amber Durand, and Sophomore Hailey Givens all return with Givens probably laying claim to a specific role rather than a utility position this season.

Toledo's Alyssa Gallow brings sure solid pitching to her team.

Toledo will bring back Hillary Roeder, Jolaina Crawford and Evergreen League 2nd team pitcher Alyssa Gallow for her senior year

Evergreen/Trico Boys Tournament Discussions

With Rainier beating Winlock on Tuesday, that put them in a position to claim the a high seed in the Evergreen Conference. Meanwhile Toledo's loss to Forks and then Fork's overtime loss to Rochester knocked out Toledo and then dropped the Spartans to the 5th place spot in the Evergreen.

Kalama and Ilwaco ADs will be in phone contact with each other . The boys' teams are tied now and if both win or both lose there will be a playoff Saturday at La Center.

The loser hosts Forks on Monday.

The game on Monday now looks more competitive depending which team from Froks shows up.

Evergreen
Winlock, Onalaska, Rainier, Montesano and Forks

Trico
Castle Rock, Stevenson, Ilwaco and Kalama

District 4 Results

Boys Basketball

Winlock 71 Montesano 40
Onalaska 52, Toledo 32
Mossyrock 85, Vancouver Christian 38
White Pass 69, Columbia Adventist Academy 58
Ilwaco 67 Naselle 64
Lake Quinault 43, Wishkah Valley 41

Girls Basketball

Kelso 63 Ridgefield 43
Mossyrock 61, Vancouver Christian 14
Toutle Lake 46, Pe Ell 42
White Pass 66, Columbia Adventist Academy 17
Wishkah Valley 33, Willapa Valley 31
Ilwaco 45 Naselle 34

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Winlock 71 Montesano 40

Four Cardinals scored in double figures as Winlock cruised to a 71-40 1A Evergreen League victory over Montesano on Monday. Nathan Booth had 20 points while Jake Brown had 19 points for the Cardinals. Derek Jensen had 12 for the Bulldogs.

Winlock's Nathan Booth and Jordan Davis (left) double team Montesano's Josh Tyler in the corner during a 1A Evergreen Conference game Monday night.

WINLOCK-Nathan Booth 20, Jake Brown 19, Jordan Davis 14, Tyler Diamond 4, Tyler Hertz 12, Mike Kent 2, Tyler McCarthy 0, Angel Sanchez 0, Nick Hoven 0, Collin Kupers 0

MONTESANO-Jack Aldrich 6, Tyler Fry, Evan Truax, Kale Tremble 1, James McCulloch 0, Josh Tyler 4, Sean McNealley 9, Gabe Thompson 6, Joe Benedict 0, Derek Jensen 12 Doug Benedict

Winlock 17 22 17 15-71
Montesano 4 9 16 11-40