McMinnville's first-half flurry buries Roosevelt

McMinnville boys soccer has dissected opponents all season in a manner akin to Ernest Hemingway's famous quote about going bankrupt: gradually, then suddenly. The same fate befell No. 25 Roosevelt against the No. 1 Grizzlies in Saturday's OSAA Class 6A state quarterfinal. While the Roughriders used opportunistic defense and quick reactions to 50-50 balls to their advantage, McMinnville's four-goal, 16-minute scoring flurry in the first half was overwhelming in a 4-0 Mac victory at Wortman Stadium. Renee Resendez started it all off for the Grizzlies on a set piece, blasting a 30-yard free kick into the upper right corner of the goal in the 18th minute. Six minutes elapsed before McMinnville scores in the run of play, as Nick Denley headed in a Cameron Autencio cross. Jonah Crown finished from point-blank range in the 30th minute, with Carlos Lucas' touch pass in the goalie box the pivotal touch on an Isaias Flores free kick. Autencio had a shot blocked back to him in the 34th minute; his rebound found the back of the net. In the second half, the Grizzlies neglected the pace and tempo of the first 40 minutes but still posted their eighth consecutive shutout. Jose Bautista took a penalty kick in the 45th minute but shot it high. McMinnville goalkeeper Jesus Cabrera and Roosevelt midfielder Oscar Garcia both received red cards in the 67th minute following an altercation after Cabrera saved a shot by Garcia. The game concluded with 10 players to each side and Grant Vicknair in goal for the Grizzlies. McMinnville (15-0-2) hosts No. 4 Lincoln in semifinal play Tuesday at a time to be determined.