MONTESANO — Luis Muro had three of Montesano’s five first-half goals, and the Bulldogs cruised to a 5-0 victory over Ilwaco on Thursday, April 18.

Ilwaco went backward off its opening kickoff and could not clear the ball out, leading to a quick Bulldog score eighteen seconds into the game. The Bulldogs scored again on a shot from near the corner in the 16th minute. Five minutes later, with Monte on the attack again, Ilwaco tried to clear it out but Muro gathered the loose ball and kicked it in for a 3-0 lead.

Montesano’s goalie stopped John Glenn’s penalty kick in the 22nd minute, and Ethan Personius missed off the side bar in the 29th, by which time it was a 4-0 game.

In the final seconds of the half, Monte connected on a long Hail Mary pass to get in close range. The recipient of that pass kicked it high and to the middle of the field, setting up a teammate for a header just as time expired, making it 5-0 at the half.

Ilwaco had some breakaway chances early in the second half but could not capitalize.

Montesano improved to 7-5 overall and 7-1 in Evergreen League play, while Ilwaco fell to 0-8. Ilwaco’s first-year soccer team continued its trend last week of playing competitive games against teams with losing records while getting blown out by the top teams in 1A Evergreen. They played Tenino close before being overpowered in Monte.