Marist Catholic High School’s boys soccer squad advanced to the state championship game for the first time since 2001, and could capture its first title since 1997. The Spartans, entering the semifinal as a No. 10 seed, defeated No. 14 Newport 3‑1 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in front of a lively home crowd.
Key moments
Head coach Jonathan Fechtel praised his players, saying, “We knew we had something special here. The boys believed in themselves and delivered.” The Spartans built a 2‑0 lead in the first half thanks to Hudson Cheeseman’s precise free kicks that found Luca Rushton’s head for both goals.
Cheeseman’s first free kick, lofted deep into the box, deflected off Rushton and beat the Newport keeper. Ten minutes later, another free kick was delivered to Rushton, who headed the ball into the top corner, extending the lead.
Newport pulled one back early in the second half when Avery Chandler scored from a deep free kick that sailed untouched into the Marist net. However, sophomore goalkeeper Nelson Holland‑Bak made a crucial one‑on‑one save later in the half, preserving the lead.
Set‑piece success
Although Marist does not consider itself a set‑piece team, the Spartans capitalized on three dead‑ball opportunities in this game. Coach Fechtel noted, “We don’t score many set‑piece goals, so seeing the boys excel in that area was a pleasant surprise.”
Cheeseman, who was encouraged by Fechtel to “be you” and trust his instincts, took the decisive free kick that resulted in his second goal of the night. He described the moment: “It just went in and it felt amazing.”
Looking ahead
Marist will face No. 1 seed Stayton, the 1‑0 winners over No. 4 Klamath Union, on Saturday at Liberty High School in Hillsboro, with kickoff set for 10:30 a.m. The Spartans’ girls soccer team also earned a state‑title berth, defeating top‑seed The Dalles‑Dufur 4‑0 and will meet No. 2 Scappoose on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The dual success underscores Marist Catholic’s resurgence in Oregon high‑school soccer, offering families and the community a source of pride and excitement as the school prepares for its championship weekend.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
