The Columbia River boys soccer workforce has performed with a aptitude for the dramatic in latest video games.
A 5-4 win over Ridgefield on April 22 featured 4 targets within the ultimate 5 minutes plus stoppage time. Final Thursday’s 2-1 win in opposition to Hockinson got here right down to the wire, with the Rapids changing a penalty kick in extra time.
So, a sluggish begin to Tuesday’s sport in opposition to R.A. Lengthy was a state of affairs the Rapids had been well-equipped to deal with.
After going through a 1-0 halftime deficit, River overcame that preliminary shock by scoring three unanswered targets within the second half to assert a 3-1 win, clinching the 2A Larger St. Helens League title on an evening the they celebrated their 10 seniors at John O’Rourke Discipline.
All-Area Sports activities Awards Ceremony
The Columbian can be internet hosting its second annual All-Area Sports activities Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at The Hilton Vancouver Washington.
The occasion can be 6-8 p.m. Admission is $15 and consists of foods and drinks. Tickets can be found now by clicking on hyperlink.
“That first half, that’s not how we play,” River senior JP Guzman stated. “We knew we may play a lot better than that, play our type of soccer and we did (in) the second half.
“We never give up.”
Guzman had the ball in an attacking place simply 30 seconds into the second half when the senior despatched in a cross into the center that deflected off of an R.A. Lengthy defender and into the web for an personal purpose.
The Rapids usually speak in regards to the significance of the “first five” minutes to begin a half. The equalizing purpose gave them the preliminary push they wanted.
“I knew once we got one, the sky was the limit for us rest of the game,” Guzman stated.
The Rapids’ again line saved the tie intact when middle again Bryce Diaz stepped in to clear a shot on an open purpose within the sixty fourth minute, organising Johnny Avalos for the go-ahead purpose two minutes later, a second-chance volley from straight on after R.A. Lengthy saved River’s preliminary try.
Guzman added a purpose within the seventieth minute to place the sport out of attain.
“It kind of comes from halftime (message), never stop going, play full time,” Avalos stated. “It’s kind of my shot — the volley — so I just go in, smack it and it’s a goal. It really brings the momentum up and then we played solid the rest of the game.”
“In practice he always makes those,” Guzman added. “It was a great goal by him.”
Along with securing the 2A GSHL title, River’s win avenged a season-opening loss to R.A. Lengthy on March 14 — the Rapids’ solely lack of the season so far. R.A. Lengthy backed up that outcome with a robust begin within the rematch, highlighted by Juan “Andres” Orozco’s 18th minute purpose.
“Coming out in that first half the way that they did, they shocked everybody again, and we had to make sure that didn’t happen again in the second half,” River coach Matt Newman stated. “The boys had an opportunity to prove it, and they did it today. Super proud of their energy.”
The Rapids strengthened their standing because the kings of the 2A GSHL with a robust non-league resume in addition, claiming a win over top-ranked 4A Puyallup and a tie in opposition to 4A Camas. The Rapids open the Class 2A District 4 event Might 10 because the No. 1 seed.
“The group of the boys that we have (are) willing to put the work in — day in, day out,” Avalos stated.
COLUMBIA RIVER 3, R.A. LONG 1
R.A. Lengthy
Targets (assists) — Juan “Andres” Orozco (Sixto Soto). Goalkeeper saves — Raul Sanchez Vega 5.
Columbia River
Targets (assists) — Personal purpose, Johnny Avalos (Mason Renner), JP Guzman (Unassisted). Goalkeeper saves — Eli Smith 2 Aedan Pena 1.
Halftime — 1-0 R.A. Lengthy.
JV — Columbia River 2-1.
