Now’s that how you start a season.
Canby girls soccer has opened the year at 6-1-1 overall, currently ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A OSAA state rankings and in the latest coaches poll. The Cougars’ only loss of the year was a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Class 6A No. 1 and reigning state champions Grant, while they played to a 1-1 draw against North Eugene/Triangle Lake, who’s No. 2 in the state rankings and coaches poll.
The Cougars have toppled 6A opponents Ida B. Wells and Oregon City and secured a non-league victory against No. 7 Thurston. Other victories include their 3-0 victory over La Salle Prep in their Northwest Oregon Conference opener, as well as a pair of wins against reigning 4A and 3A/2A/1A state champions North Marion and Catlin Gabel.
Although Canby’s performance thus far is certainly a collective effort, Kendel Johnson, a University of Montana commit, has been nothing short of outstanding in her senior campaign, scoring 11 of the Cougars’ 16 total goals, adding an assist for good measure.