Bonney Lake came into the first round as the No. 1 seed for the West Central III/Southwest IV District tournament, while Camas finished as the No. 8 seed.

But the Papermakers from southern Washington have been regular participants in the Class 3A state tournament. Camas, who won a 3A state title in 2005, has made eight tournament appearances since 2000.

Camas proved used their tournament experience for a 2-0 first-round state tournament win over the Panthers Nov. 10 at Sunset Chev Stadium.

With a steady rain, both teams played aggressive on both sides of the ball with elimination from the tournament at stake.

Bonney Lake’s Hilary Colbert and Kassandra Blakely each missed kicks in the 4th and 17th minutes of play, respectively.

Camas also attacked early, but Panther goalkeeper came up with a pair of stops in the 12th and 13th minute.

But the Papermakers finally connect for a 1-0 lead as Olivia Lovell scored off a Louisa Pendergast assist in the 27th minute.

Tempers flares at times between both teams, results in several free kicks. Colbert and Tesla Pappas were victims of yellow cards in the final two minutes of the first half.

“It was the officials job to set the tone and they didn’t want the game to get out of hand,” said Panther head coach Luke Helling-Christy.

Bonney Lake was unable to get an easy shot at the goal. Camas was able to keep possession of the ball and keep the Savanna Moorehouse, the Panthers’ leading scorer, in check.

Moorehouse was playing with a bruised right foot, said Helling-Christy.

Meanwhile, the Papermakers offense kept attacking until the final buzzer.

Lovell gave the Papermakers a 2-0 margin with an assist goal in the 62nd minute.

Helling-Christy had to change his offensive strategy.

“We abandoned our stopper position, and moved up Savanna to move up as a withdrawn forward, not as high as Hilary and the center midfielder,” said Helling-Christy. “At the 20-minute mark we started to seen a defender every time we got the ball and went smaller on defense. We’re trying anything to get something in the net.”

The Panthers, scrambling to score a goal, put together several scoring threats in the final 20 minutes. Bonney Lake had a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and a corner kick in the 77th minute.

Camas goalkeeper Andrea Soderberg had one save – a Bonney Lake kick in the 78th minute of play.

“We’ll be back next season,” said the Panthers’ head coach.

The Panthers ended the season 14-2-2, but eight of the 11 starters should return for next season.