It was a “battle of the birds” Nov. 1 at Stayton High School, where the No. 1 seed Eagles of Stayton were hosting the No. 16 seed Seaside Seagulls in a first round game of the 4A boys soccer state playoffs.

The Eagles showed why they are the top-ranked team at the 4A level, as they flew past the Gulls 8-0.

Stayton needed just one minute, 44 seconds to score its first goal, a header off a crossing pass near the baseline.

The Eagles picked up another goal at the 10:07 mark, a close range score in front of the Seaside net; and a left-footed shot from 10 yards out at 11:02 gave Stayton a 3-0 lead.

It was a tough first round for the Cowapa League in general, as Ontario defeated Tillamook 2-1, and Estacada topped league champion Scappoose, also 2-1.

Stayton advances to face North Marion in the quarterfinals.

The Seaside boys secured a spot in the 4A soccer state playoffs for the first time since 2019, with a 2-1 win (4-3 Seaside on penalty kicks) over The Dalles, in a play-in round game Oct. 29 at Broadway Field.

Seaside’s last official state playoff contest was a 1-0 loss at Phoenix in 2019. The Gulls’ last state playoff victory came in 2018, when they topped Stayton 1-0, before a second round loss to North Marion.

Seaside girls fall 

In state play-in 4A girls soccer action, the season came to a close on the road for Seaside.

The Gulls were hosting Klamath Union at Broadway Field, where the Pelicans scored a 2-0 win over Seaside, which finishes 5-7-3.

In Pendleton, sophomore Kelsey Graham scored three goals and teammate Hadley Brown scored twice, helping Pendleton to a 6-1 win over Astoria.

Pendleton’s sixth goal was scored by Grace Pitner, with Pendleton goalkeeper Miranda Medrano giving up one goal on the day, a penalty kick.