Nery Ramirez-Cruz Tallies Brace; Franklin Pierce Back to State to Defend Crown

5/17/2025

LAKEWOOD, WASH

Nery Ramirez-Cruz scored a pair of goals, and Aaron Calvo-Guillen added a third tally, paving the way for Franklin Pierce to defend their state title of last season after a 3-1 win over Port Angeles.

Matthew Miller scored the lone goal for Port Angeles in the loss.

Franklin Pierce was two days removed from losing to Bainbridge in the district semifinals, while Port Angeles defeated Washington 5-1. For Port Angeles, their last trip to state dated back to 2019 while Franklin Pierce won state for the first time in their history last season.

Franklin Pierce got on the board first when Nery Ramirez-Cruz stashed the opening goal of the game in the 16th minute. FP took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Ramirez-Cruz picked up right where he left off out of the half. Ramirez-Cruz volleyed in a goal a minute into the second half to add insurance for Franklin Pierce. Three minutes later Aaron Calvo-Guillen scored to put Franklin Pierce up 3-0. Matthew Miller scored from the penalty spot in the 60th minute for Port Angeles to cut the deficit to two.

In the end, Franklin Pierce came away with a 3-1 win to advance to state for a sixth consecutive season.

Our Thorbeckes MVP of the game was Nery Ramirez-Cruz with his two goals scored in the win.

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Below are highlights of the game, including both goals scored by Nery Ramirez-Cruz.

Nery Ramirez-Cruz Scores A Pair for Franklin Pierce