Fresno Pac boots SOU soccer team

Scores early and often; SOU, AHS netters victorious

Staff and wire reports

ASHLAND HIGH SENIOR JOSH CORNELIUS makes a leaping catch during the Grizzlies’ 24-7 season-opening victory over North Salem, Friday night at Walter A. Phillips Field. Cornelius led the Grizzlies in both receptions (five) and receiving yards (66), including four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in Ashland’s 71-yard, third-quarter scoring drive. Statistics from the game are in today’s scoreboard on page B3. Orville Hector | Ashland Daily Tidings

MEDFORD — The Fresno Pacific University women’s soccer team used superior quickness and ball control to blast past Southern Oregon University, 5-0, in a nonconference NAIA contest at Spiegelberg Stadium on Monday.

The Sunbirds salvaged a split on their season-opening road trip by pelting the Raiders (1-2) with a 19-shot barrage, including one-goal, one-assist stat lines from midfielders Julie Ramirez and Brooke Wininger.

FPU took control of the contest in the 10th minute by scoring on its third strong scoring attempt — a 10-yard Ramirez laser that zoomed past SOU goalkeeper Melanie Hopkins. The Sunbirds, who out-shot the Raiders 19-5, then iced the fray with two more first-half goals: a turn-and-shoot from freshman Lauren Ailanjian in the 22nd frame and a last-second 2-on-1 conversion by sophomore Dora Yanez-Mejia.

After the Sunbirds cashed in on the opening kickoff of the second half (a rebound goal by freshman Jeanna Ruble), Southern spent a considerable amount of time on FPU’s side of the field but was able to test freshman goalie Justine Caldera only twice.

The lone SOU offensive highlight was a 2-on-1 opportunity with 18 minutes remaining, but sophomore forward Brei McCoy was unable to corral a sweet through-ball by senior defender Hannah Smyth.

Wininger accounted for the game’s final score in the 74th minute.

Losers of two straight, Southern Oregon opens Cascade Conference action this weekend on the lengthy Albertson-Eastern Oregon road trip.

SOU Volleyball

The Southern Oregon University volleyball team capped its pre-Cascade Conference slate with a pair of victories on Day 2 of the Holiday Inn Invitational in Portland on Saturday.

The 11th-ranked Raiders improved to 8-2 overall and completed a six-match-in-five-day schedule stretch by downing Texas power Lubbock Christian in four games followed by a straight-set romp over NAIA Region I rival Montana Tech.

Five Raiders finished in double-digits for kills in the stat-heavy 30-24, 30-23, 26-30, 30-25 win against Lubbock, including a match-best 22 by all-star senior middle Nicholette Le Bel.

Meanwhile, freshman Mia Wortel (13, in 23 swings without error) amassed a personal-best for offense, while Kristen Lilly had a career-high 35 digs.

Senior all-star setter Jamie McCreary collected a season-high 68 assists and engineered SOU’s plucky 82-for-199, .317 offensive pace.

“We really played exceptionally against a very good team,” Raider coach Paul Elliott said. “I was proud of the way we battled back from a 17-14 deficit in Game 4 and regained momentum to avoid a Game 5.”

Sophomore Shanna Claflin then helped the Raiders chew up Montana Tech with a school three-game match record eight service aces, including five in Game 2. The Grants Pass product also contributed eight kills in 20 tries without an error (a .400 efficiency).

Senior outside hitter Haley Phillips and sophomore middle Richelle Millsap each posted 11 kills, and sophomore backup setter Marcy Oakland had 38 assists.

“As a team, I think we’re right where want to be (entering the conference schedule),” Elliott said. “I’m happy with our effort so far.”

SOU starts a three-match homestand Wednesday night at McNeal Pavilion against archrival Oregon Tech.

AHS Volleyball

The Ashland High volleyball team won all three of its matches in its inaugural endowment tournament Saturday at McNeal Pavilion.

The Grizzlies manhandled Liberty 25-4, 25-16, 25-9, trounced Thurston 25-16, 25-13, 25-20 and edged South Medford in a best-of-three-games match, 25-17, 22-25, 15-13.

In other tournament matches, South Medford beat Liberty, 25-20, 25-12, 25-23, and came back to nip Thurston 25-21, 17-25, 16-25, 25-17, 17-15.

The Grizzlies’ host Roseburg next Tuesday in both teams Southern Oregon Conference opener.