Camas tops Nathan Hale to set up showdown

The showdown is on in Class 3A boys soccer.

The Camas Papermakers rolled into the state quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season with a 4-0 win over Nathan Hale of Seattle. Tuesday’s in the first round of the state tournament at Cardon Field sets up a quarterfinal match on Saturday between the top two teams in Washington.

Camas is ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 9 in the latest ESPN RISE Super 50 national rankings. The Shorecrest Scots, the defending 3A state champs who will shoot for their 40th consecutive win on Saturday, are ranked No. 1 in Washington and No. 2 in the nation.

The teams will cross paths Saturday in Shoreline. A kickoff time was not announced Tuesday night.

Shorecrest survived a scare on Tuesday, beating Yelm 4-3.

“It has all the makings of a contested state final. It happens to be in the quarterfinals,” Camas coach Roland Minder said, adding that his players are excited by the challenge that awaits in Shoreline on Saturday.

Nathan Hale offered less of a challenge in Tuesday’s first-round match.

Camas scored all four of its goals in the first half, and was able to give reserve players significant time on the field.

Drew White had a goal and an assist for the Papermakers. Chris Miller, Nick Palodichuk and Adam Allison also scored goals.

White’s goal was impressive. Connor Valenter tracked down the ball deep in the right corner and sent a hard cross to the goal mouth where White provided the strong finish.