Incoming Freshmen Drew White Wins State Title

By Athletic Communications on June 9, 2011 9:29 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Special to The Seattle Times

For the Camas boys' soccer program, it's become a family tradition. It's almost a birthright to claim a state title nowadays.

Camas (20-1-0), once a downtrodden program, captured its third state title in the last six years. Since coach Roland Minder took over in 1995, the Papermakers have reached the state playoffs 13 years in a row.

"We have guys from 10 different clubs that we are tying in together, and they love playing for Camas," said Minder, whose team outscored opponents 80-8 this season and dominated state foes 12-1. "We have guys who play year-round. We have soccer families. We have good chemistry. They love each other and they play like brothers. They play for each other."

It was ninth-ranked Bainbridge's first title appearance in boys' soccer and its best finish in school history. The Spartans were 1-12 in 13 previous trips before this year's 3-1 playoff run.

"(Camas) was getting in, but we were getting just as many looks," said Bainbridge senior forward Alex Raquer, whose Spartans (17-4-1) outshot Camas 16-14. "It was nice to get here, but it would've been nice to get the big trophy. We were hoping to go home a winner.

Connor Winship's 21-yard scoring volley for Bainbridge in the 17th minute was waved off by the referee when teammate Sebastian Scales was called offsides.

Less than two minutes later, Beasley volleyed in a looping free kick from Chris Miller to give the Papermakers a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Beasley slid the shot just inside the left post after waiting for Miller's 30-yard free kick.

Beasley struck again in the 29th minute, converting a well-placed pass on the left wing from UW-bound Drew White. Beasley powered the shot into the upper middle portion of the net from close range.

Beasley nearly converted his third goal of title match in the 53rd minute when Spartan goalkeeper Nic Miller came out to challenge, leaving an open net. But Beasley fired at the left post and Bainbridge defender Joe McKenzie cleared the ball away at the left post.

Camas' Parker Roland hammered in a 22-yard blast from out top for a 3-0 lead in the 69th minute. That shot came after a Miller shot glanced off the Bainbridge keeper and ball bounced conveniently to Roland's feet.

"Years and years ago, we were kind of the doormat of southwest Washington in (boys) soccer," said Minder. "Everybody looked forward to playing us, because they knew it was going to be an easy win. When I took over, it was Camas-Washougal. "It took four years to turn that around, but we've got great synergy and we all also grew as a town."

White signed a National Letter of Intent on Feb. 2 to attend UW in the fall. He will join former Camas HS grads, Brent Richards and Quinton Beasley on the team.