Columbia boys finish fourth in WIAA state soccer playoffs

Bush was seeded 15th entering the tourney, but beat No. 2 Cascade Christian, 4-1, en route to the semifinal match vs. Columbia. The Bruins couldn’t overcome Bush School’s stingy defense, which allowed four goals in their five state playoff games. Bush entered the semifinal game winning eight of its past nine matches.

Bush made a first-half goal by Xavi Dellisanti off a Miles Breitenbucher assist stand up for the win. Ace Ederer had five saves for Bush, while Columbia keeper Ricardo Cortez saved four of Bush’s shots on goal.

Coach Gio Magana said: “Ricardo was a huge part of that success [this season] and saved two penalty kicks throughout the season. Even though in the state final four we allowed five goals, he made saves that no other goalie in the state could make.”

University Prep (17-0-2) won the 1A state title, 2-1, over Bush (13-6), which was the 2022 state champion.

Columbia made some soccer history of its own this season, as Coach Magana’s team finished 19-2-3 overall after winning the Trico and District 4 championships and posting an unbeaten regular season.

Columbia had beaten King’s Way in Trico play and at district (they also tied in league play), but a goal by the Knights’ Rylan Richter (one of three for him) in the first 30 seconds put the Bruins on their heels early in the third-place match. Senior forward Luke Gomes assisted on the first goal for King’s Way.

The Bruins responded in the 28th minute with a goal by Anderson Hernandez Pena, but Gomes and Richter teamed for the second time to give King’s Way a 2-1 halftime lead. Richter scored again early in the second half, but Columbia’s Isaac Reynoso kept the Bruins close with his 27th goal of the season. Gomes scored in the 71st minute to give King’s Way what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

The Bruins earned a first-round bye at state and advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0, May 23 second-round win over Highland High, and a 3-0 quarterfinal win on May 24 over King’s High of Shoreline.

“Despite coming up short in both games this weekend due to several key injuries, our team showed great heart and resilience, giving it everything we had,” Reynoso said. “Thank you fans for the amazing support and for always standing behind our team and community — we’ll be back.”

The talented Reynoso accepted the 1A boys soccer sportsmanship award on behalf of the Bruins. The team benefited from a home-field advantage — sometimes on opponents’ fields because of its large traveling fan base.

That fact wasn’t lost on Coach Magana. “I just want to thank the White Salmon community for the amazing support we received all season long. Every away game felt like a home game, and we just want them to know we appreciate them.”

The coach said his team was able to overcome a season-long string of injuries. “This team dealt with injuries all season long, and we never had a full healthy team including [at] state, but this team no matter what, always rose to the occasion.”

Columbia was unbeaten at home, including the two state playoff matches. The team was buoyed by a seven-member senior group: Damian Sanchez, Uli Huerta, Alex Baldwin, Joel Maldonado, Cole Wooding, Anthony Salcedo and Adan Martinez.

Magana said: “I am incredibly proud of these boys, and especially the seniors, who are leaving this place better than they found it. They have set the standard for the upcoming players.”