Kaelynn King makes a move past a North Salem defender on Sept. 30, at McNary. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Chloe Schwinof dribbles down the sideline in against North Salem, at McNary on Sept. 30. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Katya Martinez watches her shot on her goal against North Salem at McNary on Sept. 30. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
McKenzie Wiles gets a shot past the outstretched leg of a a North Salem defender in the first half on Sept. 30, at McNary. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Peyton Olafson kicks a corner kick in the first half against North Salem on Sept. 30, at McNary. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes) 
Peyton Olafson splits two North Salem defenders during the first half on Sept. 30, at McNary. (JOSHUA MANES/Keizertimes)
It may have taken all of September, but McNary girls soccer notched its first win of the season on Friday, Sept. 30.
The win came in dominant fashion, an 8-0 showing at home against the North Salem Vikings.
“It’s always good to get that first one under our belts,” McNary head coach Lauren Brouse said.
And the Celtics (1-7, 1-2) were ready to go from the whistle.
A little more than three minutes into the game, senior Tessa Fisher put the first goal on the board. Fisher gently lobbed the ball out from about 25 yards, keeping it just above the Vikings goal keeper’s reach.
Less than a minute later, senior Sydnee Alfano made the score 2-0 after the North Salem keeper was unable to clear the ball. Alfano took it on the left side, and scored on a wide open back post as the keeper was unable to get back in position.
While still in the first 10 minutes of play, Fisher added her second goal of the day, a nearly identical shot to her first.
The Celtics went into halftime up 7-0 after goals from seniors Katya Martinez and Peyton Olafson, and a pair of shots from sophomore McKenzie Wiles that deflected off North Salem defenders and in.
Heading into the second half with a large lead, and perhaps at times in the first half, the Celtics didn’t bring the intensity needed.
“We have to come out and put a full game together,” Brouse said. “We went 0-0 that second half for 15 minutes almost.”
Brouse said it’s on the girls to find a way to put it all together. She said at practice they’ve pieced it all together and she feels they’re doing phenomenal positionally.
“They just need to come out and have that grit and intensity from minute one,” Brouse said.
Junior Maya Alston ended things near the midpoint of the second half on a breakaway that she put past the North Salem keeper.
Alston thought she had ended the match earlier when she put a rebound in, but the ball had deflected off the football goal post above the goal, and not the crossbar.
The joy was obvious after the match, but during it the Celtics weren’t celebrating like a team who was looking for their first win.
North Salem is a growing, young program, with only four seniors on the squad. They’re struggles this season have been obvious, being outscored 60-4 in their eight matches, five of which finished 8-0.
“They looked way better than they have in the past,” Brouse said. “They’re holding their shape well, but they’re building.”
The strength of the opponent aside, the Celtics needed their first win of the season, and it comes right before a week break between matches. The next time they’ll be in action is Friday, Oct. 7, at South Salem at 4 p.m.