Cascade Boys Soccer Edges Stayton 3-2 on Clausen's Late Winner

TURNER, Ore. - Liam Clausen scored with five minutes remaining to lift Cascade to a 3-2 soccer victory over reigning state champion Stayton on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Cascade High School. The late finish capped a two-goal performance by Clausen and settled a match in which the Cougars held possession for most of the game.

The victory was Cascade's first over Stayton since 2019 and handed Stayton its first league loss since 2021. The Cougars are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A and sit first in the Oregon West Conference, adding significance to their win over the defending champions.

Clausen supplied Cascade's opening goal, while Julian Cabrera scored the Cougars' second goal, via penalty kick, to pull them level with Stayton. Cascade took the game to its opponent through sustained possession, but needed both the equalizer and a late breakthrough goal by Clausen, as he split defenders towards the goal, to secure the one-goal victory.

Tanen Swing helped create the decisive sequence by challenging Stayton's star striker, closing on the ball and distributing it into the middle. When the ball came loose, Stayton stole it and weaved between defenders before scoring the winner. Swing's defensive intervention and distribution set the sequence in motion, and Stayton finished it with an individual run through the defense.

Cascade's season production includes 19 goals in 9 games from Julian Cabrera, 1st on the team & 4th across OSAA, and 9 assists in 9 games from Enrique Alvarez, also 1st on the team and 4th across OSAA.

After securing the milestone league victory with their late goal, the Cougars next play at Taft today at 4:30 p.m.