MCMINNVILLE — With undefeated Newberg coming to town, it appeared the eighth-ranked McMinnville boys soccer team may have its hands full in opening Pacific Conference play.
That was not the case.
The Grizzlies scored five goals in the first 23 minutes of the game and cruised to a 7-1 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night at Wortman Stadium.
McMinnville (6-1-3 overall, 1-0 conference) needed just two minutes to take an early lead on the Tigers (6-1-3, 0-1) when Isai Cuevas-George flipped a ball past the approaching keeper.
Then a barrage of goals from the Grizzlies - Darren Arciga with a header in the ninth minute, Cuevas-George again in the 19th minute and Alek Sanchez in the 21st minute made it 4-0.
Newberg got on the board with a goal from Adrian Villalpando-Lopez in the 22nd minute, only to see McMinnville answer with a goal in the 23rd minute from Cuevas-George as the Portland commit completed the hat trick and made it 5-1. With just seconds left in the first half, the Grizzlies got one more from Jovanni Olmedo to make it 6-1 at the break.
McMinnville added a goal three minutes into the second half from Sanchez to make it 7-1 and cruised from there.
The Grizzlies return to action Monday at home against Forest Grove while Newberg looks to bounce back the same day at home against Glencoe.
LOCAL ROUNDUP
GIRLS SOCCER
Mac breezes past Tigers in Pac opener
The No. 5 McMinnville girls soccer team had little trouble with Yamhill County foe Newberg in a 7-0 win Wednesday in Newberg to open conference play.
The win moved the Grizzlies to 9-0-1 on the season and is the third match in a row they have scored six or more goals. MHS has outscored opponents 42-6 this season.
Newberg falls to 1-5-4 on the season.
McMinnville hits the road Monday to take on Forest Grove while Newberg travels to take on Glencoe the same day.
Sherwood opens conference with draw against Glencoe
The Sherwood girls soccer team opened Pacific Conference play with a 1-1 draw against Glencoe at home Wednesday. The Bowmen (3-6-1, 0-0-1) return to action Monday at Century.
BOYS SOCCER
Sherwood opens Pac play with 3-0 win over Glencoe
The Sherwood boys soccer team snapped a three-match losing streak and opened Pacific Conference play on a strong note with a 3-0 win at Glencoe on Wednesday.
The Bowmen moved to 3-6-1 overall this season and host Century on Monday.
VOLLEYBALL
Sherwood wins five-set thriller at McMinnville
The Sherwood volleyball team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat McMinnville 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-19, 15-8) on Wednesday in McMinnville.
The victory moves the Bowmen to 12-8 on the season and 6-1 in Pacific Conference play, a game behind Forest Grove for first place. McMinnville drops to 4-11 on the season and 2-5 in conference play.
Sherwood returns to action Tuesday at home against Newberg while McMinnville plays at a tournament at West Linn on Saturday.
*Newberg vs. Century volleyball score from Wednesday not available as of 10:10 p.m.
