Hockinson (2nd) Columbia River (3rd), Ridgefield (4th) all earn trophies at 2A tourney
They promised they would be back.
And not just back to the state tournament after missing out in 2019.
They promised they would be back to Camas soccer standards.
Saturday night, the Papermakers made good on that promise. Or better yet, made perfect on that promise.
Camas completed the perfect girls soccer season, taking down Issaquah in penalty kicks after a scoreless match in the WIAA Class 4A state championship at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup.
Goalkeeper Keely Wieczorek, superb in regulation and in overtime, was even better in the PKs, stopping two Issaquah kicks.
Nora Melcher stepped up for the Papermakers and easily found the net for a 4-2 advantage in penalty kicks, clinching the state title. Camas went 22-0 this season, winning its first state title since 2016 and the third in program history.
Maya Parman, Lily Loughney, and Madeline Johnson also connected for Camas in the PKs.
Wieczorek stood out even more. Her instincts, her focus were on point, guessing correctly on all of Issaquah’s attempts. The two saves she made virtually secured a Camas victory.
From an online viewing, it appeared Issaquah had the most chances toward the end of the first half. Camas seemingly owned the scoring chances in the second half.
Regardless, neither team could find the net.
In overtime, Issaquah got close again, with a crossing pass just in front of the net. Wieczorek was ready, though, diving to intercept the pass. Less than a minute later, the Eagles again had the ball in front of the Camas net, but Wieczorek smothered that opportunity, as well.
Camas outscored its opponents 76-10 this season. The Papermakers defense did not give up a goal in the semifinals nor the finals.
(Note: We hope to have more on Camas’ perfect season with a follow-up story.)
Class 2A soccer
The Hockinson Hawks finished second for the second consecutive Class 2A state girls soccer tournament.
Top-seed Archbishop Murphy scored a first-half goal and added another goal early in the second half to take command, winning the title 2-0 at Shoreline Stadium.
For Hockinson, though? What a run. The seventh seed made it to the final four, then beat league rival Ridgefield in the semifinals to advance to the championship match. Again.
In 2019, league-rival Columbia River beat Hockinson in the championship match.
This year, the Hawks get to claim they are the best from the mighty 2A Greater St. Helens League. Hockinson, after all, finished second in state.
Columbia River, meanwhile, finished third, taking down Ridgefield in penalty kicks on Saturday. The Spudders get to bring home the fourth-place trophy.
