Catlin Gabel boys soccer is moving into a new era this season after the resignation of coach Peter Shulman, who guided the team to a 168-23-22 record with five 3A/2A/1A titles in the last 12 seasons.
The early results under first-year coach Russ Magoon are promising. The reigning state champion Eagles, No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 3A/2A/1A coaches poll, have outscored No. 7 McLoughlin, co-No. 9 Riverside and 4A Newport by a combined 15-0.
Still, Magoon is keeping the team's 3-0 start in perspective.
“We're not always keeping the ball the way we could,” he said. “We're a decent side, but sometimes we have lapses. The results are good. I also know the results always tighten when you play good teams. I'm happy with the start, but I don't want to be too optimistic.”
Magoon assisted Catlin Gabel girls coach Chris Dorough for six seasons before taking over as the boys coach at 4A Scappoose last year. After going 4-5-6 with the Indians in 2024, he decided not to return to the team. He was intrigued by the opportunity to go back to Catlin Gabel, which has won 15 state championships.
“When I heard Peter was leaving, I was like, there's not a better position, honestly,” Magoon said. “It's the best position for me. I love the culture. I love the school. It's a very special place to be. Walking on to that field is terrific. To follow up after Peter and so many other good coaches, and have a chance to keep a good program going, it's great.”
Magoon played for a state-title team in New Hampshire in the 1980s. He has coached at multiple clubs spanning 20 years, including the last five at FC Portland.
Catlin Gabel brings back four starters from a team that finished 17-0-1 and defeated Special District 1 rival Oregon Episcopal 1-0 in the state final.
Junior center midfielder Giancarlo Rendon Benitez (14 assists in 2024), senior center midfielder Levi Whalen-Stewart (12 goals, 13 assists), junior forward Nolan Swaim and senior center back August Walrod are the returning starters. Rendon Benitez was selected to the 3A/2A/1A first team.
Senior Papa Diallo, who last year scored a team-high 15 goals and was a first-team all-state pick, is not on the team this season. The Eagles will miss his offense.
“It's hard to replace those 15 goals, but hopefully we can gel,” Magoon said. “We're not a team that has that person that puts up 30 a year. We won't be that team.”
Catlin Gabel showed its balance in the opener when five different players scored in a 5-0 win at McLoughlin on Aug. 28. The next day, the Eagles won 3-0 at Riverside.
Swaim recorded a hat trick in a 7-0 home victory over Newport on Sept. 2. Sophomores Mason Campbell and Ben Sirtori, junior Liam Travers and freshman Sebastian Borja also found the net, and Rendon Benitez tallied three assists.
The Eagles are counting on reserves from last year to fill starting spots. Sophomore goalkeeper Nuri Sahavi, who plays for FC Portland, has taken over as the starter and notched three shutouts. Sirtori and Travers will have bigger roles as they toggle between midfield and forward.
Catlin Gabel is starting two freshmen at outside back in Luka Hernandez and Nico Wolahan. The Eagles are carrying six freshmen on the roster.
“It gives us some youth and an opportunity to develop for years to come,” Magoon said.
Catlin Gabel will have its hands full in a loaded SD1 that includes No. 2 Westside Christian, No. 4 Oregon Episcopal and No. 5 Valley Catholic. The remaining nonleague schedule features Tuesday's home match against No. 8 St. Mary's of Medford.
The Eagles also scheduled a home game against reigning 5A champion La Salle Prep for Oct. 28.
“I love the fact that we play a real challenging opponent before the playoffs,” Magoon said. “You've got to go into the playoffs with a little humility.”
Notes: Quillian Tourzan recorded hat tricks in his first two games as Ashland went on the road to defeat Caldera 6-0 and North Medford 8-0. Peter Billet also had a hat trick for the Grizzlies. … Creswell is off to a 2-0 start behind Brady Pratt (three goals, eight assists) and Matthew Jenkins (six goals). Pratt had five assists and Jenkins and foreign exchange student Nils Drumm each scored twice in a 6-4 win at North Bend. .… Senior captain Johnathan Mendez has racked up six goals in Dayton's 3-0 start. He had two goals and one assist as the No. 3 Pirates opened the season with a 5-1 home win over No. 5 Valley Catholic on Aug. 30. … Lincoln opened the season with an offensive explosion in beating Hood River Valley 7-0 and Parkrose 8-0 in home matches. Hersom Regalado (four goals, three assists) and Merlin Danzmayr (three goals, two assists) led the way. … David Douglas freshman defender Abdiel Palomo scored a goal with 42 seconds left to give his team a 1-1 tie at Sunset in the season opener Sept. 2. … Down 2-1 at halftime against visiting Newberg on Monday, Sandy got two second-half goals from Kamden Luebbert to win 3-2. … Anthony Ledesma provided both goals for Canby to defeat Southridge 2-0 at home Monday. Isaiah Martinez has three goals in three games for the Cougars (2-0-1).
jerryu@osaa.org
Subscribe
