McMinnville boys soccer reaches state quarterfinals

Rockne Roll/News-Register## Cameron Autencio (13) celebrates his second goal of the night as McMinnville defeated South Eugene 3-0 at Wortman Stadium on Tuesday.

Rockne Roll/News-Register## Jonah Crown (in white) cuts through the Axemen's defense in Tuesday's OSAA Class 6A Round of 16 match at Wortman Stadium.

Rockne Roll/News-Register## Cameron Autencio (center, in white) watches his header sail towards the back of the net in the third minute of Tuesday's playoff match.

Rockne Roll/News-Register## Jakob Wright of McMinnville plays a header near the far sideline in Tuesday's playoff match at Wortman Stadium against South Eugene,

McMinnville boys soccer barely needed to warm up on a cold Tuesday night to gain the early advantage against South Eugene in the Grizzlies' OSAA Class 6A second-round state playoff game at Wortman Stadium.

Cameron Autencio successfully headed in Isaias Flores' free kick in the third minute, and McMinnville broke through in a physical contest with two second half goals for a 3-0 victory over the Axemen.

A physical, inelegant game of soccer was marred in the 74th  minute, when South Eugene goalkeeper Josh Ganter received a straight red card after hitting McMinnville midfielder Jonah Crown in the head during a run on the Axemen's goal. Crown received a concussion test from the Mac High training staff and did not return to the game. Ganter's red card was one of seven bookings throughout the match; South Eugene defender Aidan Braun and forward Jesus Velazco received yellow cards while Crown, Autencio, Flores and Carlos Lucas each received yellow cards for the Grizzlies.

McMinnville (14-0-2) had more chances closer to the goal than South Eugene (9-4-3), outshooting the Axemen 21-7 and 11-4 on goal, but struggled to maintain possession and develop attacks within the middle of the field. A physical game against a tall South Eugene side compounded matters. 

Crown drew a foul in the 65th minute and provided commentary to the referee, resulting in his yellow card and a free kick for the Grizzlies. Flores took it and defender Jose Bautista capitalized with a backside header to put McMinnville up 2-0.

Autencio finished the game with his team's first goal in the run of play, a 30-yard strike past the outstretched arms of Axemen reserve goalkeeper Jonah Sherman in the 77th minute. He drew a yellow card with 30 seconds remaining.

McMinnville will play Saturday, Nov. 7, at a time to be determined against either No. 25 Roosevelt or No. 24 Beaverton.