Disappointing district tournament does not fracture sisterhood

This dream season for the Camas High School girls soccer team turned into a nightmare in the district tournament.

After fighting for 78 minutes to get one shot on goal, Anyssa DeVera split the keeper and defender and kicked the ball into the back of the net to tie the championship match with Skyview Nov. 4, at Doc Harris Stadium.

An additional 10 minutes of soccer was not enough to determine a winner. A champion would be determined on penalty kicks.

Mason Minder and DeVera made theirs for the Papermakers, but there was also two misses and a block. Skyview netted four of its five attempts to win the number-one seed into the state tournament.

Camas and Union fought for the final slot into state Thursday, at Doc Harris Stadium.

The Titans gained a 1-0 advantage in the first half, and the Papermakers couldn’t come up with an equalizer.

As the game reached its two-minute crescendo, Camas almost struck gold again. The Papermakers moved the ball into the box with the force of a tidal wave, Sarah Yang took a quick shot, Morgan Spieth made the biggest save of the match. There wasn’t enough time left for Camas to create another shot.

“It’s hard to lose after having such a great season,” said team captain Marie Matthews. “We gave it our all, we all love each other and we’ll remember the good times.”

Matthews will never forget the bond formed with fellow seniors Riley Allison, Maddy Belzer, Monica Coelho, Haley Meyer, Sarah Tennyson and Rachel Wildeson.

“I didn’t know any of them when I came into the program,” Matthews said. “It’s always great to meet new people and have friends you can count on. We’ll be sisters forever.”

Head coach Roland Minder will miss these graduating sisters.

“They are phenomenal,” he said. “Any coach would be proud to have them on their team.”

It’s up to the returning players and newcomers carry on the Camas soccer tradition. Matthews has some advice for them.

“Give it your all every single day because you never know when it’s going to be over,” she said. “It goes by so fast. Cherish every moment and work hard for the next one.”