Camas’ Lehner state soccer player of the year

Camas senior Bennett Lehner has been selected as the Gatorade Washington Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Lehner had 20 goals and 10 assists for Camas during the regular season, helping the Papermakers go 14-1-1 and earn a share of the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League title at 10-1-1.

The Papermakers face Union at 7 p.m. Tuesday at McKenzie Stadium for the Class 4A District 4 championship.

“What makes Bennett so dangerous is his ability to maintain possession under heavy pressure and then find the open player by making the right pass,” Union coach Kelcey Burris said. “His ability to stretch the field with his pace is also an advantage.”

Lehner, 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, plays both midfield and forward for Camas. He is committed to play college soccer for the University of Dayton (Ohio).

The 2015 Columbian All-Region Player of the Year for boys soccer, he was the GSHL offensive player of the year and a first-team all-state selection as a junior.

Lehner is the third Camas boys soccer player to earn the Gatorade Washington Player of the Year award, Joining Brent Richards (2008) and Nick Palodichuk (2010). Skyview’s Carter Johnson won the award in 2013 and 2014.