The RA Long boys soccer team knew it had a fight ahead of it to win the 2A District IV championship.
After all, you can't just enter Mordor and float down the Columbia River.
In the end, the Rapids entered the game with an overall record of 18 wins and one loss on the season, allowing just four goals. The team also defeated RA Long by a combined score of 6-0 in both meetings during the regular season.
The history of the program should also have been considered. Since 2017, Columbia River has won the 2A District IV trophy five times, including in both 2022 and 2023 when it was looking for a third straight title.
It was a difficult order, just like the one given to Frodo and Sam.
Still, not many expected a 7-1 rout considering RA Long lost 2-0 at home on April 30th, a game with a two-goal difference.
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“Honestly, that was a good team and it took a really clean effort from us. It was a high-energy effort, we didn't make a lot of mistakes, and we didn't have any of that today,” RA Long said. coach Max Anderson said. “It was kind of a comedy of errors.”
What to make of this performance by the Lumberjacks as the team prepares to make its first state tournament appearance since 2018?
I think it should be considered an abnormal situation. As highlighted above, in the teams' previous two meetings, RA Long has contributed six goals in 160 minutes of play. Never in history has the Jacks been so easily exposed on one half of the field.
There's also the fact that RA Long is dealing with a serious injury to starting centre-back Nick Pittsley (knee), forcing his players into uncomfortable positions. The coach said it's unclear whether Pittsley will be able to return at some point next week. Anderson.
Regardless of whether the loss is normal or abnormal, the important thing is that RA Long flushes the loss immediately. The players need to learn from their mistakes and shake the feeling of loss from their collective psyche in preparation for next week's tournament, where their team has a real chance to advance.
Anyone who has watched this team all season or witnessed the team's dramatic two-goal comeback against WF West in the semifinal round can attest to that claim.
Jax is playing with a lot of confidence. It's also a team with a number of senior leaders in key positions, including Gavin Guyer in midfield, Craiger Clarke at center back and Gary Paredes at forward.
They play with a high soccer IQ, are well-coached, have talent at all three levels, and play with speed. Keeper Raul Sanchez has made several highlight-reel saves this season to prevent goals. Many of the players will be on the league's All-League First Team when announced.
Geyer noted the team entered Thursday's district title game with some nerves. Perhaps their nerves got the better of the lumberjacks. The team also needs to learn from it in preparation for next week.
“I think we panicked a little bit, probably because of (Columbia River's) pressure,” Guyer said. “It was just a mistake that led to their goal. If we can correct the mistake…that means we can still make it through states just fine.
“(We) can't take this game seriously and we can't get scared out of it.”
RA Long has accomplished so much this season that he's too scared to play next week. In the final month of the season, they raced through the 2A GSHL, losing only to reigning 2A state champion Columbia River.
Also, simply gaining a position in dance is not enough. As Coach Anderson pointed out after the district title game loss, that wasn't the goal entering the season.
“We can't be satisfied with just passing state. Otherwise, it's a waste of everyone's time. We have to work with real purpose moving forward,” Anderson said. .
Make up for your losses and get ready for the state opener.