CAMAS — One of the more impressive streaks in Washington high school sports history will continue for at least another year.
The Camas boys soccer team made it to the state tournament for a 19th consecutive season after dispatching South Kitsap 5-3 Thursday night at Doc Harris Stadium in a bi-district playoff.
“Since before I was born,” said senior and 18-year-old Danny Wing, who scored four goals to lead the offense. “That’s amazing to think about.”
And the Papermakers were thinking about it, too. Coach Roland Minder wrote it out on the board, that this program had 18 in a row coming into this elimination match.
Josh Schneider, who had two assists, said he and his teammates got the message: Don’t be the team that ends the streak.
“It’s just so amazing to be part of a program like this, that has such a great reputation,” Schneider said. “Such an amazing team and atmosphere. The coaching staff is the best I could ever ask for. The players that surround you are able to push you daily to get us ready.”
The Papermakers will play again Saturday in the bi-district playoffs but for seeding purposes only. Thursday’s win guaranteed them another trip the state round of 16.
Again, 19 years in a row.
“I don’t know any soccer team that has done that,” Minder said. “It seems a heck of a lot.”
Wing said there is pressure to play for Camas, to play for that streak.
“But it just makes it that much more fun,” Wing said. “Everyone here, we are competitors. We can’t be that team (that loses it). So we stepped it up.”
South Kitsap struck first on a 65-yard free kick from Jacob Hassebrock. The ball sailed past the group of players in front of the net, then skipped off the turf and into the net for a 1-0 lead three minutes into the match.
The Wolves had a few other scoring chances the rest of the half, but Camas ruled most of the possession and scored three first-half goals to take command.
Max Bilsborough broke free from his defender for a prime scoring chance, leading to a Schneider touch to Wing to tie the match 1-all at the 17-minute mark.
Erik Brainard gave Camas the lead at the 26-minute mark on a free kick from 20 yards out.
Wing hustled for a loose ball toward the side of the net. South Kitsap keeper Alex Hutchison dove for but could not control the ball. Wing would get to it first, then chip it in for a 3-1 lead toward the end of the first half.
Wing made it 4-1 with a penalty kick early in the second half.
After a South Kitsap goal to make it 4-2, Camas pretty much secured the victory on a Schneider-to-Wing goal. Schneider kicked the ball over his head with his back turned to Wing, and Wing redirected into the net for a 5-2 advantage.
“I just played it back there, and Danny did a great job of cleaning it up,” Schneider said.
This was Wing’s second four-goal match of the season, but this one is a bit more special, with so much on the line.
“Honestly, I had four goals but everything is a team effort,” Wing said. “We just wanted it. We were just ready for today.
“It feels amazing, but I just want to give credit to the team. Everything we do is based around the team.”
The Wolves scored with two minutes remaining but by then the Papermakers knew they were continuing their historic run to state.
CAMAS 5, SOUTH KITSAP 3
South Kitsap
Goals — Jacob Hassebrock (free kick); Quinn Dick; Hassebrock.
Camas
Goals (assists) — Danny Wing (Josh Schneider); Erik Brainard (free kick); Wing; Wing (PK); Wing (Schneider). Goalkeeper saves — Spencer Vela 3.
