It has been a long trip back to the state playoffs for the Seton Catholic boys soccer team.
Friday’s 2-0 home win over Columbia-White Salmon in the 1A district tournament clinched the program’s first state berth since 2014.
After the win, freshman midfielder David Moore reflected on that journey. It’s one that has spanned cold, dark early-season practices to Friday’s hot sun.
And it’s not over yet.
“It’s an amazing feeling to go from starting in the snow to 80-degree weather and going to state for the first time in five years,” Moore said.
Senior midfielder Seth Moore basked in the glow of the program’s first winning season in the past four years.
“The team aspect is crazy,” he said. “We’re all buying in to the program. It’s crazy to see that once you put your time in, everything pays off in the end.”
Seton (14-3-0) heads to state as the No. 3 seed from District 4. The Cougars faced a must-win game Friday after falling to Forks in the district semifinals.
Though Seton had beaten Columbia-White Salmon (9-7-1) twice in the Trico League season, little separated the teams in the first half.
But the Cougars dominated after the break. David Moore’s goal with 22 minutes left capped a long stretch of sustained Seton pressure.
From that point, the Cougars defense clamped down. Despite needing a goal, the Bruins couldn’t keep enough possession to create any dangerous chances.
When Christian Martin scored Seton’s second goal with five minutes left, it sealed the victory and capped a dominant second half.
“At halftime, our coach (Amanda Chase) told us you’re not on your game,” Seth Moore said. “She said ‘it’s up to you. If you guys want it, you can go get it. I have full faith. This is your game to win.'”
David Moore said Friday’s second-half performance came down to desire.
“Physically we were tired, but mentally we could push through,” he said. “We wanted it so bad because we’ve worked so hard day in and day out.”
Seton Catholic will learn its first-round state opponent over the weekend. The Cougars will likely travel to face the No. 2 seed from District 1/2, either King’s of Seattle or Overlake of Redmond.
“We may be the underdogs in this fight,” David Moore said. “But underdogs always win in the movies, so why not in real life, right?”
SETON CATHOLIC 2, COLUMBIA-WHITE SALMON 0
Columbia-White Salmon
Goalkeeper saves — Zavier Smith 8.
Seton Catholic
Goals (assists) — David Moore (Seth Moore), Christian Martin (Jetszael Meza-Gonzalez). Goalkeeper saves — Andrew Olson 4.
Halftime — 0-0.
