The title of top big-school girls soccer program in Clark County has long resided in Camas, where the Papermakers have won four straight 4A Greater St. Helens League titles and put two 4A state championships in their trophy case since 2016.
But the Papermakers are beginning to see a fast-rising program narrow that margin.
Skyview continued its emergence with a 1-0 win at home Wednesday over Camas, a result that came to pass after Dea Covarrubias scored a go-ahead goal assisted by Reese Harrison in the 71st minute.
The undefeated Storm (8-0-2, 2-0) moved into sole possession of first place in the 4A GSHL with four games left to play in the regular season.
“It’s a surreal experience, honestly, because for the past couple years, it’s always been a tough fight with Camas,” junior captain Mya Ellertson said.
“Coming into this game, we just wanted to kind of make a statement that Camas might not be on top anymore. It might be time for the Storm.”
Covarrubias, one of four seniors on this Skyview team, knows better than most how far the Storm have come. She recalled how as a freshman in 2021 Skyview gave up four goals in each of its two losses to the Papermakers, who went on to win the 4A state championship that season.
Last year, however, Skyview showed progress by defeating Camas 2-0, the Storm’s first win over the Papermakers in nearly a decade. But, Camas still won the 4A GSHL title, defeated Skyview 2-0 in 4A bi-districts and advanced to the 4A state tournament, while Skyview saw its season end in bi-districts one win shy of state.
“Our freshman year was awful, it was not good. We lost, like, 4-0 every single time,” Covarrubias said. “So, coming from four years ago and 4-0, and now finally winning, it’s a blessing.”
Skyview’s last win over Camas gave the Storm a sense of optimism and belief that they were gaining ground on the Papermakers. That made Wednesday’s match feel like a prove-it moment.
Skyview players, by their own admission, had to work through some nerves to settle into the game.
“I wasn’t crazy nervous, but I was like, ‘dang, what are we going to do? Every single time we play Camas we get scared,'” Covarrubias said. “So, I was nervous for the team, but I knew that we were going to be able to accomplish what we wanted.”
“It was just a mindset game,” Ellertson added, “and I think we had a good mindset today.”
While the Storm had an advantage in corner kicks and possession in the opening stages, it didn’t yield any goals during a scoreless first half.
With the clock ticking under 10 minutes left in regulation, the Storm unleashed their speedy forward when Harrison led Covarrubias with a long pass against a single Camas (4-5-1, 1-1) defender and goalkeeper, whose hand grazed Covarrubias’ shot attempt before it rolled into the net.
“I saw it wide open, and obviously, I’m a runner,” Covarrubias said.
To celebrate, Covarrubias leaped into Ellertson’s arms and they fell to the turf as the rest of the team joined them.
“From my vantage point, watching Dea take off is such a great feeling — all the time,” Ellertson said. “She’s so fast.”
Just like Covarrubias, the Storm have chased down every opponent they’ve faced through 10 games, Camas included. They’ll face their next test against Union on Oct. 15, followed by a road rematch with the Papermakers on Oct. 22.
“Honestly, I think this is the best the team has ever been in my three years here,” Ellertson said. “We’re hoping to get to state, we’re hoping to win league this year, and this is the first year where it’s really within reach.”
SKYVIEW 1, CAMAS 0
Camas
Goalkeeper saves — Natalie Grajeda 5, Rhiannon Teasley 3.
Skyview
Goals (assists) — Dea Covarrubias (Reese Harrison). Match standouts — Makenna Flinn, Quinn Lundy, Scottie Crooks.
Halftime — 0-0.
JV — Camas 4-0.
