THE BEND, Ore. – The high school soccer season officially began this week, and Central Oregon teams are already celebrating early successes. Fans at local fields witnessed two thrilling victories from the Caldera Wolfpack girls and the Summit Storm program, both boys and girls, underscoring the community’s strong support for youth athletics.
Caldera Wolfpack girls dominate Putnam
The Caldera Wolfpack girls opened their campaign with an offensive showcase, defeating Putnam 5‑3. Caldera surged to a 2‑0 lead in the first half before Putnam rallied. Freshman forward Ailynn Padilla cut the deficit to one with a well‑placed shot, and senior Lily Huen equalized from the penalty spot. Caldera responded quickly when corner‑kick specialist Cameron Emerson delivered a ball that freshman Anna Klos headed into the net, restoring the lead. Huen again converted a penalty to tie the game at 3‑3, but captain Ginny Klos answered with a composed spot‑kick, giving the Wolfpack a 4‑3 advantage. The Klos sisters then combined for back‑to‑back goals, and senior Blair Downs added a fifth on another corner‑kick. Caldera held on for the 5‑3 win and begins the season 1‑0, with a Thursday matchup against Silverton on the horizon.
Summit Storm girls edge Lake Oswego
On the same evening, the Summit Storm girls secured a 2‑1 victory over 6A Lake Oswego. The match remained dead‑locked until senior forward Coco Skoverberg lofted a ball to teammate Nina Taft. Taft battled through contact with the goalkeeper and finished with a precise right‑foot strike, delivering the decisive goal late in the second half. The Storm’s disciplined defense preserved the lead, giving them a clean start to the season.
Summit Storm boys claim 2‑1 win over Hood River
Shortly after the girls’ triumph, the Summit Storm boys took the field against Hood River. Senior captain Zach Bradley won possession early and set up junior striker Will Newton, who scored the opening goal. Hood River answered at halftime with a penalty conversion by senior defender Benjamin Tama, tying the game 1‑1. In the second half, Newton reclaimed the lead with a swift left‑foot strike, his second goal of the match, and the Storm held on for a 2‑1 victory. The boys will travel to Wilsonville for their next contest on Thursday.
Community pride and future matchups
These early results highlight the depth of talent and community enthusiasm for high school soccer in Central Oregon. Parents, coaches, and local supporters gathered at the fields, reinforcing the importance of extracurricular activities that teach teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. The upcoming games against Silverton, Wilsonville, and other regional opponents promise to keep the excitement alive as the season progresses.
For families looking to attend, game times and locations are posted on each school’s athletic website. Continued support from the Bend community will be crucial as these young athletes strive for excellence on and off the field.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
