UMATILLA — In a Special District 5 showdown for the top spot in the league standings, Umatilla came out on top 2-1 over Echo/Stanfield on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
“I’m proud of them,” Umatilla coach Edgar Navarrete said of his team. “We are learning from each game. We have been taking it one game at a time and taking it one step at a time.”
The Vikings (6-0-2) are off to their best start since 2019, when they finished the season 6-5-3.
“There were a lot of nerves going into the game and throughout the game,” Navarrete said. “You could see the emotions on their faces. We knew this game could make or break us going forward.”
Freshman Elaina Jewett scored in the 30th minute of the first half to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead at the half.
Fellow freshman Ava Montiel scored with about 15 minutes left in the game to give Umatilla a 2-0 lead.
Echo/Stanfield (5-1-2) scored with 10 minutes remaining but could not even the score.
“One thing that really helps, is they (Elaina and Ava) have been playing with each other for years,” Navarrete said. “It took them time to adjust playing with the other girls, but once that happened, things just started to click.”
Umatilla goaltender Rylee Sanchez finished with three saves, getting help on the back end by Hailee Montiel and Victoria Leon.
“We were primarily in the middle and on their side,” Navarrete said. “Our defense was able to shut it down before they got too close to our goalie.”
The Vikings will play Thursday at Pendleton.
Photos by Kathy Aney.
Umatilla's Elaina Jewett (6) and Echo/Stanfield’s Victory Tonfa chase the ball on Sept. 30, 2025, in Umatilla.
Umatilla's Evelyn Christensen kicks the ball as Echo/Stanfield’s Marcelina Almonte (10) avoids contact with Christensen's foot on Sept. 30, 2025, in Umatilla.