CAMAS — Will Taves didn't need reminding of the last time the Camas boys soccer team played against rival Union a month ago.
Taves, a junior goalie, was guarding the goal during the March 28 game when Union's shot slipped through his hands and into the net, scoring the winning golden goal in overtime.
Rather than trying to forget, Taves faced the moment head-on. He saved a screenshot of the video of the goal and kept it fresh in his mind as the days passed until the rematch.
“The 0-2 result against Union this year was unacceptable,'' he said. “We had to leave it all there, no matter what.”
The Papermakers, including Taves, were unwavering until the final moments of Monday's 2-1 win over the Titans at Doc Harris Stadium. After more than 50 minutes had passed at 1-1, Marku Laukkanen headed Camas' corner kick against the post in stoppage time, and Owen Tuttle converted the rebound to score the opening goal.
Camas (12-1-2, 4-1 4A GSHL) suffered its first loss of the season to Union (14-1, 4-1), leaving them tied for first place in the league standings with one game left on Wednesday. .
“We practiced hard every day waiting for this moment,” Tuttle said. “We were just getting ready and it happened. We're glad to be here.”
The winning goal of the game came after several minutes of quick, ferocious attacks by Union, in which Taves made three saves, including one with his head and another using his entire 6-foot-5 body to bounce off a high arch. I needed to make a save. Kanan Moore's free kick right before Suttle's attack. After Camas senior goalie Jack Odon played the first half, Taves came on as a substitute and made seven saves in the final 40 minutes and stoppage time.
“He came into the game and did nothing but great things,” Camas coach Josh Stoller said. “His mental stability and being stuck on the sideline for the whole first half is tough. It's tough to watch and then step on the field to get ready. Seven big saves (one For him to be able to do it with that (out of mind) means he really stepped up to the plate. He's one of the great leaders on this team.”
Senior Jayden Alves, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in a game against Olympia two weeks ago, kicked off from the center circle on crutches and the Papermakers kicked the ball out of bounds. Makers seemed to be invigorated. Stoller said the Titans and coach Jason Moore agreed to the idea when Camas ran with it.
From there, Camas almost scored just one minute into the game and held the possession advantage throughout the first 20 minutes. Camas' Cooper Schneider opened the scoring in the 18th minute, curling a shot into the top corner of the net with an assist from Laukkanen.
Union hit back after just 10 minutes with Kanan Moore sending a long throw-in into the penalty area and Jean-Pier Tapia-Abundis scoring from close range.
It was a similar situation to last month when Camas scored first, only for Union to hit back with two goals.
But a month later, it feels like the Papermakers are a different team. Ultimately, the loss on March 28 was a moment of reckoning for the team. This is his 8th consecutive win and he hasn't lost since then.
“After our last loss, we sat down, came together as a group, and thought about how our identity would move forward into this season,” Stoller said. “(We) came up with a common goal and started working on it.”
“It's just a built-up emotion,” Taves added. “We've come this far this season as a team and every practice has been emotional. Between players who don't know each other and come from different teams, we've finally all bonded, and tonight it showed. It appeared.”
Camas and Union built long winning streaks and played well against Class 4A teams from across the state. It should be a tough battle for both teams in the 4A bi-district playoffs, which begin Saturday.
For the Papermakers in particular, Stoller said the recent win against a tough league opponent is further evidence that the team is trending upward at the right time.
“Every day in practice is a battle. Every team we play is looking for revenge, and that's how we get through the season,” Tuttle said.
Camas 2, Union 1
union
Goal (assist) — Jean-Pierre Tapia-Abundis (Kanaan Moore) Save by the goalkeeper — Jesus Gutierrez 4.
Camas
Goals (assists) — Cooper Schneider (Marc Laukkanen), Owen Tuttle (Laukkanen). Goalkeeper saves — Jack Odon 4, William Taves 7.
