JOHN DAY – Benito Cabarl didn’t get much time to rest Saturday.

Grant Union’s soccer team kept Cabarl, Irrigon’s keeper, occupied during the Prospectors’ 2-1 victory over the Knights. The Pros took 30 shots during the game, and 18 of those threatened the goal.

“Their keeper did a good job in there, and they are definitely the most physical team we’ve played,” Grant Union coach Ken Purnell said.

Although Grant Union held the ball on Irrigon’s half of the field for the majority of the game and threatened often, the team only managed to put two balls into the net. The Pros have averaged more than seven goals a game this season in 3A Special District 5 play and have been outshooting opponents nearly three to one.

Grant Union took an early lead when Henrik Shia headed the ball past Cabarl on a throw in from Parker Burton less than six minutes into the game.

The Pros continued to push the ball down the field and had several close calls throughout the half. Darren Frazier laid the ball across the net to Nathan Wunz who put a shot into the goal. Wunz’s goal gave Grant Union a 2-0 lead going into halftime.

The Knights had a few opportunities of their own in the first half, but were unable to capitalize on them. Grant Union’s goalies made several plays to limit those chances. The Pros’ Bill Sevey came out of the goal to clear long balls and harass Irrigon attackers during the first half.

“I was just thinking I have to get the ball out of here at all costs,” Sevey said.

Sevey also got a little help from Irrigon on a couple of plays. The Knights’ Ivan Diaz got open within the six-yard box and had a clear shot on goal, but missed wide.

Irrigon coach Eric Keller said the game was hard to watch at times.

“It was nerve-wracking to watch that happen,” Keller said. “I just know the effort they put in at practice and to see that, it hurts. It was so close.”

Diaz got a second chance at the goal halfway through the second half and the ball found its mark on his second effort. Diaz’s goal made the game 2-1 and gave the Knights a second wind late in the game.

Grant Union took many shots in the final 10 minutes of the game, but was unable to score, allowing Irrigon to stay close. The Pros’ offensive drives kept the Knights from any offense of their own and Grant Union held on for the win.

Purnell said Grant Union should have controlled the offensive end more in the second half.

“We could have put the game away if we could just finish,” Purnell said. “You can’t let a scrappy team stay with you. They fought back and kept with us. They had a lot of scrappy, quality players.”

The Pros are on a five-game win streak with an 8-1 win over Central Christian Sept. 18 and the win against Irrigon. They are 4-0 in league play and received votes in the latest 3A coaches poll, but placed outside the top 10 in Oregon. Grant Union will try to go 6-0 against Culver at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Seventh Street Complex.