The Columbia River boys soccer team knew it needed a win at Kelso to claim the league title.
Thursday, the Chieftains left no doubt.
Columbia River’s 6-0 win clinched the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League title. Rafiq DeJesus scored twice, while Jack Kolosvary had a goal and an assist to lead the Chieftains.
At 4-1-1 (13 points), the Chieftains finish one point ahead of Prairie (4-2-0).
As league champs, River will face Seattle’s Kennedy Catholic at 5 p.m. Thursday at Kiggins Bowl in the bi-district tournament.
The Chieftains advance to state by winning either Thursday or Saturday.
GSHL runner-up Prairie travels to Burien on Tuesday to face Hazen at Highline Memorial Stadium.
The Falcons must win three matches in a row to qualify for state.
With its 4-0 win over Fort Vancouver, Prairie did its part to make River’s match a must-win situation.
For the second consecutive match, Prairie goalkeeper Ben Stevenson scored from roughly 60 yards away on a free kick. Thursday’s kick bounced in front of Fort’s goal and over the goalkeeper’s head.
It was Stevenson’s third goal of the season.
“He’s the best goalkeeper we’ve had,” Prairie coach Mike Mikelson said. “We’ve relied on defending all year. Our offense has come when the chances have presented themselves.”
Mikelson highlighted the play of Alex Cochell, who assisted on first-half goals by Moses Savenok and Alex Agarkov.
Friday tiebreaker
A 2A Greater St. Helens League tiebreaker in baseball gave R.A. Long the No. 3 seed to next week’s district tournament.
Ridgefield will play Hudson’s Bay for the fourth and final berth to district at 4 p.m. Friday at R.A. Long.
R.A. Long, Ridgefield and Hudson’s Bay finished the regular season tied for third in the 2A GSHL at 6-6.
District playoffs set
• The 4A district soccer playoffs will open Saturday with Union facing Battle Ground (5 p.m.) and Evergreen playing Skyview (7 p.m.) in loser-out matches at a site to be announced.
Mountain View will play at Camas in the district championship match on Tuesday.
• La Center’s 1-0 loss to Seton Catholic and White Salmon’s 1-0 win over Toledo-Winlock settled the seeding to next week’s 1A district playoffs.
La Center will travel to play the No. 2 team from the 1A Evergreen Conference in a loser-out game on Tuesday. White Salmon will host the EvCo No. 3 team the same day.
Stars of the day
• Jared Berg, Mountain View soccer, scored both goals for the Thunder in their 2-1 win over Heritage to clinch the No. 2 seed to district.
• C.J. Farrell, Seton Catholic soccer, made nine saves in a 1-0 win over La Center.
• Connor Gilroy, King’s Way Christian soccer, scored three goals in the Knights’ 5-2 win at Stevenson.
• Ashton Rimer, Union soccer, scored the winning goal as the Titans beat Evergreen 1-0.
