Lake Oswego advances to second round with 2-1 win over Forest Grove

Residents of Lake Oswego watched their local boys soccer team secure a playoff berth on Saturday, Oct. 31. The No. 12 ranked Lakers defeated No. 21 Forest Grove, 2-1, in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs at Lake Oswego High School.

The Lakers took the lead 22 minutes into the match. Sophomore Jake Holmes crossed the ball from the right side of the field into the penalty box, where senior Devin Wu finished the play for a 1-0 advantage. Lake Oswego extended its lead five minutes later when senior Jack Weber played the ball to the far post and senior Brody Smith headed it into the net.

Forest Grove reduced the deficit late in the game. With 3:22 remaining, senior Lalo Cornejo converted a penalty kick to make the score 2-1. The Vikings mounted a final push shortly after, volleying a shot over Laker goalkeeper Ben Robertson. Senior team captain Riley Kilian headed the ball away to preserve the win.

Robertson, who stopped all Forest Grove shots until the final penalty kick, said the team had areas to improve but accepted the result. “It felt all right. There were some things we could have cleaned up, but a win’s a win,” Robertson said.

Kilian, who headed away the Vikings' last chance to tie the game with 2:30 left on the clock, noted that the defense held up against new Forest Grove players. “This felt great. We beat them earlier in the season and we knew they’d come out flying,” Kilian said. He described the victory as ugly but necessary, adding that the offense delivered when required.

The win moves Lake Oswego to a 10-4-1 record. It marks the Lakers' third victory in their last five games. Forest Grove finished its season with a 6-7-3 record after its two-game winning streak was snapped.

Robertson stated that the team has not advanced past the first round in three or four years, making this win a major milestone. Kilian added that this was his first personal playoff win. The Lakers will face No. 5 Beaverton, the reigning state champions, in the second round on Tuesday, Nov. 3.