The Beaverton boys soccer team played Jesuit at home last Thursday. It was a high-powered matchup between the number one and number three ranked teams in the state. Entering the game, number one Beaverton (10-0-1) had shut out all of their opponents except for McMinnville. The Beavers had conceded only one goal throughout the season, the least of any team in 6A. Last season, Beaverton finished number 22 in the state, so the number one ranking was a huge improvement.
Head coach Jason Carney is in his second year at BHS. He spoke about how building a “stronger culture” and the willingness of the players to learn and improve has led to this season’s success. “We needed to take accountability for our actions,” said Carney. “By doing the tiny things really well, we can build on that, and when harder tasks are in front of students, they can step up and execute them.”
On the other side of the matchup, Jesuit (9-2), number three in the state, is an offensive powerhouse. Before last Thursday’s game, they had scored 41 goals during the season. The Crusaders lead the Metro League in goals scored. The game was clearly going to be a battle between Beaverton’s staunch defense and Jesuit’s attacking play.
Thursday night, fans packed the stands wrapped up in jackets and drinking hot cocoa to stay warm, to cheer on the boy’s team. During the first half, the two teams were locked together, battling for possession in the midfield. A few times Jesuit’s forwards got the ball on breakaways, running past Beaverton players to create scoring chances. Every time, Beaverton defenders would get back to block the shot or the goalkeeper, Mason Schinderle, would make an incredible save. During one play in the 35th minute, it looked like Jesuit was going to get a shot on an open goal. The forward shot the ball toward the net, but at the last second, Beaverton defender Cal Spear jumped and sent the ball flying away from the goal. Explaining Beaverton’s defensive drive, senior defender Lucas Fabian said, “It’s just passion. We don’t give up. If someone gets past us we run back, we hold each other accountable.”
The second half of the game was just as intense. The score stayed tied at 0-0 until Jesuit scored a late goal in the 70th minute. The dormant fans now fired up, rallied together to cheer on the Beavers in the last minutes. With only ten minutes left, Beaverton needed to get an equalizer. Pressing for the ball and with time running out in the 77th minute, Owen Brooks contested the Jesuit keeper to head a ball away. Forward Tyler Johnson got the ball off the header and booted it in to tie the game 1-1. The crowd went wild! After the game, Beaverton fans joined the players on the field to celebrate the draw. It was Beaverton’s first game against Jesuit without a loss, since a draw with the Crusaders in 2018.
The team’s last game is against Sunset at home on Thursday, October 23rd, for senior night. The boys have aspirations to win the Metro League and contend for the state championship. Maybe this year, with this team, it’s in reach.
“The boys deserve all the credit,” said Carney.
![Beaverton played McNary in its home opener on a Thursday night [Image courtesy of Jason Sarmiento].](https://beavertonhummer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-Football-v-McNary-35-1200x800.jpg)
