On a golden destiny

First there was rain, then there was fog and more downpour in this overtime soccer dunk contest at Doc Harris Stadium.

The climate shift matched the rapid fury on the field. It was only a matter a time before one team took the plunge. Suddenly, 83 minutes into this tussle with Union, everything became clear for Camas.

The seas opened for Bennett Lehner as he watched the ball sail in his direction on a pass by Toby Pizot. Lehner splashed by two defenders and discovered open space in front of the goal. He took one touch on the ball and hit the target to win the game. The Papermakers plowed into Lehner with the force of a tidal wave after submerging their Lacamas Lake rivals 1-0.

“It was about time. We had been crashing the goal all night,” Lehner said. “Toby played me a great ball from about halfway. It was beautiful the way it split their two center backs. Their keeper had been great all night, but we finally got one by him.”

The win helped Camas complete the first cycle through league undefeated. The Papermakers have given up two goals in 12 games, all of them victories.

“To go through all of the teams undefeated takes a lot of mental toughness,” Lehner said. “I’m extremely excited for the second round. We know we can beat these teams, but we still have to prove it out on the field.”

Camas hosts Mountain View Friday, at Doc Harris Stadium. Kick off is at 7 p.m. Longtime rivals Skyview and Union are aiming for redemption in their houses. The Papermakers tackle the Storm Tuesday, April 28, at Kiggins Bowl. Camas prepares for another clash with the Titans Tuesday, May 5, at McKenzie Stadium. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Lehner said these three rematches could be as unpredictable as the weather in Southwest Washington.

“We are going to have to come out in the second half and play even harder,” he said. “Every team is improving. There are going to be no easy games from here on out.”