There might still be a week of soccer left to play, but the Papermakers have already locked up the league championship.
“It feels great to win league this early,” said senior Chris Miller. “We still want to go for an undefeated record, and have some more fun out there.”
The clincher came Wednesday, when the Camas boys beat Columbia River 5-0 in the grass field behind Jason Lee Middle School. Drew White delivered two goals, and Nathan Beasley, Parker Roland and Casey Martschinske each knocked in one.
“Attack at all costs,” Miller said. “That’s what Coach Minder always says, and we really took advantage of that today.”
Miller mailed in the first goal for the Papermakers. White hustled for the ball as it bounced toward the net in slow motion. The opposing goalkeeper couldn’t decide whether to rush out of the box or sit back and wait for White to shoot. Once he slipped, White nicked the ball into the net.
“Give Drew credit for hustling for that ball,” Miller said. “He ran straight to it and scored. Sometimes, you got to have luck on your side.”
As Camas continued to attack the net aggressively, Columbia River slipped up again and was called for a “hand ball.” White took the penalty kick and scored his second goal of the game. Beasley then blasted the ball into the net on a breakaway to put the Papermakers in the driver’s seat at halftime.
“We knew if we won this game, we would be league champs,” Beasley said. “We came out and played hard because we wanted that title.”
Nathan Beasley grew up watching brothers Greg and Quinton play football and soccer for Camas. Now, it’s his turn. On April 24 against Hudson’s Bay, Nathan headed in the winning goal in overtime off a corner kick from Miller. The Papermakers won 3-2.
“Playing varsity soccer for Camas has been a childhood dream of mine,” he said. “I watched both of my brothers win a state championship, and I am excited about having that opportunity. I just want to do everything my brothers have done, and do everything I’ve seen Camas do.”
Camas (13-1, 10-0) plays at Kelso today and hosts Fort Vancouver Thursday. The Papermakers aim for their 13th consecutive state tournament berth Saturday, May 14, at Doc Harris Stadium.
“We want to take each game by game, get back to the final four and hopefully win a state cup,” Miller said. “It’s our senior year, and that’s what we wall want.”
