Sandy boys soccer to bring speed, ‘best selves’ to new 5A life
Published 5:00 am Tuesday, September 1, 2026
As Sandy boys soccer wades into the unknown, the goal is simple — be the best version of itself on and off the pitch.
Sandy is now part of the 5A Northwest Oregon Conference after the athletic department decided to drop out of top-flight sports following years of petitioning. That move puts the Pioneers into a classification best suited to its student population.
“We are entering an unfamiliar situation, facing a new slate of opponents,” said Coach Christopher Cramer. “We want to establish ourselves as a contender at the 5A level.”
The Pioneers are in a conference alongside Centennial, Hood River, Milwaukie, Parkrose, Putnam, and St. Helens.
“We plan on taking it one game at a time, getting a little bit better every day, and let the process drive the results,” Cramer said.
While the conference is unknown, returning players bring plenty of familiarity.
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The Pioneers will lean on their stifling defense, a staple of the program for the past few years. The plan is to rely on all seniors in key defensive positions, including the goalkeeper. Senior center backs Henry Scott and Diego Montellano will form the backbone partnership in the middle of the pitch. Scott played nearly every minute last season, and Montellano returns to the program after an international sojourn to Austria to study abroad.
Senior outside back Luis Saucedo and senior goalie Max Burkholder round out the defensive core.
“Max has matured a lot as a player and we are excited for him to bring that leadership and experience to goal,” Coach Cramer said.
And while defense wins championships, Sandy wants to find a better balance between attack and defense this season. Last year, the 5th-place Pioneers (4-6-4) at times struggled to score, netting only 18 goals in 2025. This year there should be more of an offensive flurry thanks to a combo of speed and skill up top.
Last year’s leading goal scorer, junior midfielder Sebastian Avila Zabala, is back, as is veteran attacking midfielder senior Ty Pietzold.
“Those two have forged an important partnership over the past three seasons, and I think the best is yet to come from both of them,” Coach Cramer said.
Then there is the cadre of speedsters who will aim to fluster opposing defenses. Senior forwards Xander Gregor and Griffin Fleming, along with junior forward Miyan Jacinto, create a mix of talent the Pioneers have not had in a while.
“The strength of this offense is going to be that it is a completely new look from what teams have seen from us in the past,” Coach Cramer said. “This group is developing good chemistry heading into the season.”