The Bearcats faced a tough test in their first state playoff game since 1998. W.F. West, seeded No. 16 in the boys 2A state soccer playoffs, was matched up with top-seeded, undefeated Columbia River.
The Rapids (21-0) proved their mettle — and their seeding — with a hot start in a 5-1 win at Vancouver’s Kiggins Bowl.
The loss ends W.F. West’s season with a 15-11 record. The Bearcats went 9-8 in 2A Evergreen Conference play.
Nate Bertolino and Alexander Harris each scored two goals for the Rapids, while Alex Brown added a goal.
Ezra Bolin scored in the 23rd minute for W.F. West to make it 3-1, but the Rapids quickly answered and led 4-1 at halftime. Bertolino’s second-half header was the game’s final goal.
Columbia River moves on to face Othello — which beat Clover Park 2-0 on Tuesday — in the state quarterfinals. The state championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at Tumwater District Stadium.
It was the final game for Bearcat seniors Saul Lima Perez, Adan and Adal Vargas, Isaac Madrigal, James Villanueva, Xavier Flores and Gideon Priest.
