CAMAS — A win over rival Union never fails to bring the Camas boys soccer team a feeling of satisfaction. What was telling about the Papermakers’ latest in the rivalry series was their post-game reaction, or lack thereof.
Without much fanfare, Camas defeated Union 2-0 in a wire-to-wire win Wednesday at Doc Harris Stadium in each team’s 4A Greater St. Helens League opener. The Papermakers (6-2-4) took a businesslike approach into the game and got the result they wanted.
“We try to look at this game as any other game,” junior Luke Manandic said. “We don’t try to focus on Union the whole season. We just try to win games.”
Cooper Schneider scored a goal in space within the opening 10 minutes to give Camas a lead that stood, thanks in large part to a masterful performance from goalkeeper Will Taves that included 14 saves.
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It was the sixth clean sheet of the season for Camas and just the second time Union (6-3-1) has been held without a goal.
“Our mindset going into every game, ever since a few hiccups in the preseason, (is) just on to the next,” said Schneider, a junior. “That’s just all we’re looking for … to win league and try to just build up off each and every win. Not make every game more special than another one.”
Though Camas struck first, Union had a leg up on shots on goal during the first 40 minutes and continued attacking to open the second half, to no avail against Taves and the Papermakers’ defense.
“Winning those long balls and not letting them get behind us,” Manandic said when asked of the Papermakers’ defensive success. “We did, but we got lucky a few times.”
The one-goal margin remained until the 73rd minute when Manandic sent a through ball to Schneider against a single Union defender, who fouled the speedy forward and drew a red card.
Noah McLamb took the free kick after Schneider faked the kick and drilled a shot into goal from just outside the 18-yard penalty area.
“We saw the wall, it was really favoring a right footer, and I was like, ‘Yo Noah, go up and rip this,'” Schneider said. “I feel like it was perfect.”
In the team’s post-game meeting, Camas coach Josh Stoller lauded players for putting together a full 80-minute performance, imploring them to remember that feeling and carry it forward. Players agreed the game was among their most complete of the season thus far.
“We’ve had a few games we didn’t finish,” Schneider said, “but I feel like this was a really good statement game. We’re out here, we’re here to play, we’re here to win.”
