Bend High continued its strong start to the 2026 high school soccer season on Saturday, delivering a commanding 5-0 victory over 6A South Medford in the Lava Bears’ second game of the year. The win, achieved in front of a supportive home crowd at the Lava Bears’ field, moves Bend to a perfect 2-0 record.
Early lead set the tone
The game opened with a burst of energy from the Lava Bears. 5A Player of the Year Shea Manfredi sent a precise cross into the penalty area, where senior Harper Moffenbeier met it with a clean finish to give Bend a 1-0 lead within the first few minutes.
Solid defensive work
South Medford pressed for an equalizer, but Bend goalkeeper Brooklyn Mettler stood firm, making a key save in the first half that preserved the early advantage. Mettler’s composure helped keep the Panthers off the scoreboard throughout the match.
Freshman breakthrough
In the second half, Bend continued to apply pressure. Olivia Lynch found freshman Ryker Scott on a breakaway. Scott beat a defender and the goalkeeper to score the first goal of her high school career, extending the lead to 2-0 and sparking excitement among the home fans.
Manfredi adds another strike
Manfredi, already on the scoresheet, linked up again with Lynch. After a well‑timed pass forward, Lynch slipped behind the South Medford defense and finished to make it 3-0. The Lava Bears kept the momentum, with Cassidy Connor testing the net and striking the post on a long‑range effort.
Finishing touches
Isla Beal capitalized on the rebound from Connor’s missed shot, finding the back of the net to push the score to 4-0. Finally, Manfredi capped off a stellar performance by scoring her own goal, rounding out a five‑goal tally for Bend.
Looking ahead
The decisive win underscores Bend High’s offensive depth and defensive stability as the team prepares for its upcoming schedule. Coach [Name not provided in source] praised the players’ teamwork and highlighted the importance of building on this early success.
South Medford will regroup after the loss, while Bend looks forward to its next matchup, hoping to maintain the unbeaten streak that has defined the start of their season.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
