Maddie Kemp had shots on goal hit the left post, right post and the crossbar.
But she also had two that reached the back of the net, and now Camas is one step closer to securing an outright league title.
Kemp scored once in the first half and again in the last minute of the game– both darts that the goalkeeper didn’t touch — and Falissitie DePasquale delivered a pair of late saves in Camas’ 2-0 win over Union on Thursday night.
“It would have been nice to put away the ones I hit off the crossbar, but overall I’m satisfied,” Kemp said.
And how could she not be.
The win moved the Papermakers (10-2-2, 5-0-1) within one win of the 4A Greater St. Helens League title. Camas still has two league games left.
“It was really important for us to come out strong,” Kemp said. “They always come out hard against us, so this week we’ve kind of been preparing for a super physical match, high pressure all the time. It was nice to come out, put them away and finish off late.”
Union (10-3-1, 4-2-1), who would have tied Camas atop the league standings with a win, had a string of chances to equalize in the second half. Union forward Isabelle Morales fired a free kick from 25 yards that appeared on track to score, but DePasquale made a diving two-handed save.
Moments later Union forward MaKayla Woods received a through ball and — holding off two defenders at the top of the 18-yard box — turned and shot, but DePasquale corralled it again.
“We were just so consistent with everything,” DePasquale said. “If the ball was behind, we got it back, we used our speed, our touches were good and we moved the ball around.”
Kemp put the game away the game-sealing goal moments before the final whistle sounded.
“It’s always nice to have somebody with a nose for goal,” Camas coach Roland Minder said. “In a lot of games we’ve had several people score, that helps out so the other team can’t focus on just one player. It’s an asset to have somebody that can finish.”
Union, which has one game remaining in league play, will secure the second seed in bi-districts with a win. The teams played to a 1-1 tie on Oct. 3. Despite the loss, the Titans are confident going forward.
“Our message is always the same,” Union coach Kelcey Burris said, “the only game we’re focused on is always the next one. Once we leave the locker room we move on.”
Union’s defensive line made sure the Camas forward felt its presence. Sophomore Macee Woods’ speed and physicality stopped a bevy of scoring opportunities.
In the 55th minute, Kemp — who has scored her fair share of goals for the Papermakers — got the ball with space, and was chased down by Macee Woods, who was later shown a yellow card for her physicality. It didn’t go unnoticed by the Camas forwards.
“Once you receive the ball you should expect to have pressure on. … their defense is pretty physical and tight,” Kemp said.
Though beating Union is a significant hurdle, there will be no relief after Thursday’s result for the Papermakers.
“It’s only going to get harder from here,” Kemp said.
