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220 Jewett Blvd,
PO Box 218, White Salmon, WA 98672
Phone: 509.493.2112 |
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| Class 1A Boys Soccer |
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| CHS earns first state tourney victory, plays again on Friday in Tacoma |
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 | | Photo by Sverre Bakke | | PLAYING FOR STATE -- Forks' Felipe Barragan moves in for the challenge as Columbia High's Mark Lovrin tries to control the ball during the Southwest District Class 1A boys soccer final May 7 in Kalama. Lovrin had a goal and an assist, and t he Bruins beat the Spartans, 5-1, for CHS's first district soccer title and first-ever state 1A tournament berth. |
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By Sverre Bakke
Columbia High's boys soccer team won its first-ever state tournament match Tuesday, defeating University Prep of Seattle, 2-1, in overtime, in a Class 1A first-round match at Kalama's Chinook Stadium, where the Bruins won all three of their playoff games this season.
The winning goal came with 1:26 remaining in the second sudden-death overtime period on a slashing breakaway by senior Cheno Barajas, who split the defense and beat Prep goalie Andrew Blundell with a shot to the far post.
It was a stunning display of ball control and shot-making with the game on the line. Afterward, Barajas' teammates mobbed him, and Bruins Coach Peter Knowles pumped his first in the air in celebration of the achievement. Prior to Tuesday, Columbia had been 0-3 in three previous state appearances, all at the 2A level.
Columbia's next destination is Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, where, at 6 p.m. tomorrow, the Bruins (16-1) will kick off a state quarterfinal match against Trico rival La Center or Charles Wright Academy of Tacoma.
On Tuesday, Columbia had its hands full with a feisty University Prep team that played most of its matches last fall and got back together this spring in time for the playoffs.
Early on, though, the Southwest District champions put a lot of pressure on the Pumas' defense with nice passing combinations and shots on goal that were either too wide or too high.
The first half remained scoreless until University Prep sophomore Nic Suh sent a shot to the far post past CHS goalkeeper Carlos Mendoza with 5:14 showing on the clock.
Columbia had to wait until nearly eight minutes were gone in the second half to get the equalizer. Junior Ramon Cortez controlled the ball about 25 yards straight on from the goal and launched a rocket that hit its target at 32:03.
Columbia 5, Forks 1: Cheno Barajas scored a pair of first half goals and the Bruins beat the Spartans at Kalama last Wednesday for Columbia High's first-ever district soccer championship.
Barajas got his first goal in the 18th minute from an assist by Finn Anderson. Forks answered in the 19th minute, but Columbia made it 2-1 three minutes later when Mark Lovrin set up Barajas for his second goal.
Eight minutes before halftime, Lovrin scored to give the Bruins a two-goal advantage. Ramon Villanueva got the assist.
Mart¡n Mendoza and Kilian Hoder added goals in the 55th and 66th minute respectively. Assists were credited to Shanti Gosman and Anderson.
Overall, the Bruins dominated the Spartans, controlling the possession game and outshooting them 45-2 (20-2 on goal).
"The 45 shots we took, with 20 on goal, are both season highs for us, though I'd like to see a bit more accuracy and payoff for all our hard work," Bruins Coach Peter Knowles noted and added, "It's a weakness that, if we can turn it just a bit, can pay off big dividends when we get into closer matches as we advance in state playoffs."
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