By James Day
The Silverton High girls soccer team continues to demonstrate that it is a force to be reckoned with in Class 5A.
The Foxes, who came within one goal of a Mid-Willamette Conference title the past two seasons, outscored opponents by a 46-14 count in summer league and captured the championship.
Silverton, which has advanced to the round of 16 in the 5A playoffs the past three years, had 36 players in the summer program, with head coach Gary Cameroon handling the varsity and Jeff Ulven and Fred George running the division II squad.
“The summer league is a great opportunity for us to gain experience,” Cameron told Our Town. “The division II team was made up of incoming freshmen and sophomores. They had an uphill battle in league as they matched up with the prospective varsity squads of the other schools in the league. They got a lot of time on the pitch and good coaching from Jeff Ulven and Fred George.”
The varsity squad was anchored by captains Hannah Munson, Maddy Valov and Molly Stadeli. Incoming freshman and club standout Paige Alexander led the team in scoring and Caitlin Fisher anchored the defense.
Cameron also praised the contributions of four incoming sophomores: Savvy Reilly, Bella Jensen, Izzy Haselip and Skylar Johnston.
The girls soccer squad, like the other fall sports teams — boys soccer, cross country, volleyball and football — begins conditioning work Aug. 8. The first OSAA-sanctioned practices are Aug. 15, with Aug. 25 the first contest date.
Cameron’s squad opens Sept. 1 at Churchill and will play its home opener against North Eugene on Sept. 27.
Facilities: All kinds of work is being done to the old Silverton High School campus on Schlador Street. Remodeled football field, new parking lots. The place has been a beehive of activity. One more facilities upgrade is taking place at the new campus on Pine. The school is installing a turfed outdoor weight room area (see photo). By the time you read this the area will be paved, with the turf on its way.
Trainer: Silverton will have a new certified athletic trainer for the fall, Kirk McAnlis. A graduate in sports medicine from the University of Evansville with a master’s in sports administration from Seattle University, McAnlis has spent the past 12 years serving as trainer at a series of Seattle-area schools.
“We are very excited that he chose Silverton High School,” Foxes Athletic Director Greg Kaatz said. “Kirk brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in multiple sports settings.”
McAnlis replaces Jennifer Krug, who resigned at the end of the school year.
Homer: The annual Homer’s Classic races are set for Sunday, Aug. 7. The 8K covered bridge run and the 2-mile run-walk will start and finish at the Pine Street campus this year because of the McGinnis Field project on Schlador. Races start at 9 a.m. and you can register at www.racenorthwest.com or starting at 7:30 on race day. Call Steve Ritchie at 503-559-4643 for information.
Follow me on Twitter.com @jameshday. Got a news tip? Email me at [email protected]. Follow Our Town on Facebook.
