Grizzlies move on to the quarterfinals

Senior Jose Pelayo’s big leg powered the McMinnville Grizzlies to a 4-1 win Tuesday vs. West Salem in the second round of the 6A boys soccer state playoffs at Wortman Stadium

Pelayo scored No. 4-ranked McMinnville’s first goal in the 24th minute of the first half on a free kick and added another goal in the second half, helping the Grizzlies move on to the state quarterfinals for the second straight season.

McMinnville (13-2-1) plays at 7 p.m. Saturday at home vs. No. 5-ranked Linclon (10-1-4), which beat Hillsboro 2-0 Tuesday.

Tuesday night, the Grizzlies upped their win streak to four matches behind a physical defense and excellent passing. After Pelayo’s first goal skipped across the turf and past West Salem’s goalie, Mac scored again in the 35th minute on a breakaway. Nicholas Autencio took a long pass beyond the defense and found a streaking Moises Diaz, who put it in the net.

Mac led 2-0 at halftime.

Pelayo made it 3-0 Mac in the 54th minute, and then he found Autencio on a perfect pass in the West Salem Box in the 69th minute, and Autencio easily scored.

West Salem (12-3-2) scored its goal in the final minutes on a defensive breakdown by the Grizzlies. Jose Ibarra was able to get past the last line of defense and beat McMinnville goal Miguel Perez Flores. It was the first goal McMinnville has allowed since its 1-0 loss Oct. 17 at Tualatin.