Thursday night in Seaside was an easy scene to set.
The Seagulls soccer team was about to take on Tillamook in a battle for league supremacy. With the Seagulls last winning a league championship during the shortened 2020-21 season, this game served as the biggest for the program in the last five seasons. Fans in attendance knew this as well. The students sitting in their section shared blankets and parents wore their familiar red jackets and the community came out to support the upstart Seagulls team.
Entering Thursday, the Seagulls were ranked No. 10 in 4A and a victory over No. 7 Tillamook would not only clinch the Cowapa League outright but give the senior-led team one more home game at Broadway Field.
With two top 10 teams battling, it was clear early on what kind of a game fans were going to see.
This game could best be described as a 12-round heavyweight fight with multiple knockdowns by each fighter. Or it could be described as a survival of the fittest.
Yellow cards, hard fouls, players rolling around on the ground in pain, fans screaming at the referees — this game had everything. In the end, two players made the difference.
Seagulls forward Joset Supulveda and reigning Cowapa league goalkeeper of the year Luis Rodriguez were the lightning rods for Seaside’s 2-0 upset over Tillamook.
Supulveda scored a goal in each half, while Rodriguez made a number of thrilling saves. His best one was a penalty kick against Tillamook forward Anton Voight. After a Sepulveda opening goal sent the home crowd into a frenzy, the Cheesemakers had a golden opportunity.
Voight had broken through the Seagulls line and was fouled by one of their defenders. This set up a penalty kick and a shot to tie, but Rodriguez had other ideas. Voight lined up facing one way, then switched to the other side trying to fool Seaside’s senior goalie. But Rodriguez snuffed it out and knocked the ball away much to the delight of the home crowd.
As the Cheesemakers got more frustrated, chippiness and looking for fouls became parts of their game plan. After a couple of yellow cards were handed out, the half ended.
The second half played out much the same as the first. Tillamook had the bulk of possession of the ball, but they were not able to create great scoring chances. Seaside’s team was defensively stout and their strategy of high pressing and playing through balls finally paid. Sepulveda took advantage of a mistake from the Cheesemakers backline and poured in the back-breaking goal.
As the final seconds ticked down, the Seagulls crowd and bench started to feel the excitement. The Seagulls tied for the league championship in 2020-21, but hadn’t won it outright since 2017. In the end, Seaside nearly scored a walk-off goal to make it 3-0, but the boys were content with a 2-0 victory.
What ensued afterwards, was pure joy and jubilation. The story of the postgame included tears of happiness and multiple players falling to the ground. In the words of head coach Nathan Daniels, the kids put everything into the season and Thursday’s game.
“I’m elated,” Daniels said. “The boys worked so hard this year, they believed in each other. They were just phenomenal tonight and I’m so proud of them.
“Our first game with them was a physical game and came down to the last 10 minutes when they put one away on us; we knew we had to fight to the bitter end with them. Two really good teams. Tillamook is phenomenal.”
As for his goal scorer and goalie, Daniels had nothing but praise.
“Keeper of the year returning, I think he deserves it a second time,” Daniels said. “He was phenomenal saving a penalty kick for us, the winning ball in the air — one of the best keepers I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching.”
Daniels said his forward has been working all season towards putting the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s been so unselfish for us and I’m glad he was able to get his two tonight.”
The victory means Seaside will get at least one more home game in front of their home fans. Playoffs are set to begin Nov. 5.
Seaside girls soccer ties the game
Seaside girls also played Tillamook. The girls traveled south for their last regular season game and came away with a 0-0 draw.
The Seagulls girls soccer wrapped up second place in league with the tie and clinched a playoff spot in the process. Seaside finished their season ranked No. 12 in 4A and 7-5-3 overall. The girls are set to be on the road for the 4A playoffs and will know in a few days who they will be playing.
Astoria girls soccer team finishes on high note
Astoria girls tied St. Helens to finish up their regular season. The Fishermen will finish No. 18 in 4A and 3-7-5 overall. Astoria came home fourth in the Cowapa league behind Scappoose, Seaside and Rainier/Clatskanie/Knappa.
The Astoria boys soccer team gave their seniors a proper sendoff with a 2-0 victory over St. Helens. Though the team didn’t make the postseason this year, they have something to build on.
Astoria will be returning a good amount of rotation players next season and hope that this victory will see them improve on their 2-9-3 overall mark.
Warrenton volleyball does it again
“Cardiac kids” seems to be a good name for the Warrenton girls volleyball team since going five sets has become the team’s speciality.
After a tough end of season stretch, the Warriors dug deep and found a way to officially qualify for the 3A state playoffs. Coming into the play-in portion as the 20th and final seed, the Warriors put together a sterling comeback to advance to Saturday’s round of 16 games.
The Warriors fell behind 2-0 to 13th seed Creswell before rallying to pull off the upset. After losing the first two sets 25-18 and 25-15, the Warriors proceeded to win the third and fourth by a score of 25-20 and outlasted Creswell in a marathon fifth set, 18-16.
The Warrenton team is set to take on 4th-ranked Sisters at 11 a.m. Saturday.