Victories to savor

The Camas girls soccer players had been waiting years to defeat Skyview and Battle Ground. They accomplished both feats last week.

Emily Ponce and Jamie Carter delivered the goals that helped the Papermakers trip up the Storm 2-1 Sept. 25, at Doc Harris Stadium. It was the first time the Camas girls beat Skyview since Sept. 16, 2008.

Freshman wing Anyssa DeVera mailed the perfect cross to Ponce in the middle. The senior blasted the ball past the opposing goalkeeper and into the back of the net for a goal in the 14th minute.

“I got the right touch on it and put it in the far post,” Ponce said. “Against a tough team like Skyview, it definitely set the tone. It was great to watch the ball go off my foot and into the net, and then turn around and see everybody cheering.”

Skyview struck with the game-tying goal in the 26th minute, but it would only be a few more seconds before Camas reclaimed the lead on a chip shot by Carter.

“The momentum was going to swing. Jamie just put an end to that right there with that goal,” said head coach Roland Minder. “Both goals came from our defensive midfielders and the assists were from our backline. Our defensive personalities saved the day.”

Carter could see the ball moving up field from the backline before Skyview could react. She created an opening and beat the keeper in a one-on-one showdown in front of the goal.

“After they scored, I got mad and I wanted to get them back,” Carter said. “I didn’t have time to think about anything, I just shot it. Usually when I do that, the ball goes way over. This time, it went in.”

Carter and Ponce kept the Papermakers on the defensive the rest of the game.

“We had to keep the intensity up to make sure we kept the lead,” Carter said.

“We kept pushing up more, supported each other and went hard on tackles,” Ponce added. “We hadn’t beaten Skyview in four years. This just sets the tone for league. We have to continue to attack, and make combination runs and passes. Just make sure we keep shooting.”

Camas beat Battle Ground for the first time in three years Thursday. Savanna Joyce contributed a goal and an assist in the 3-0 victory for the Papermakers at District Stadium. Diane Dyra and Cassie Bourland delivered the other two goals.

On the heels of beating Skyview and Battle Ground, Minder tells the girls to stay grounded. It’s a good first and second step, but there is still a long way to go.