Columbia Timbers B92 Regional Tournament Recap

The Columbia Timbers B92 side has historically been a strong age group for SW Washington. With two State Championship Cup titles to their name the players born between August 1992 and July 1993 have consistently been top contenders in the Washington State Championship Cup, with multiple State Cup quarterfinal and semifinal appearances in addition to their two titles.

 For the team to remain competitive despite multiple personnel and coaching changes over the years is a testament to the ability of the players and coaches in SW Washington. The team that won State this year and recently returned from representing Washington at the Regional tournament in New Mexico is a study in team chemistry. What makes this group special is their mental focus and the simple fact that they play for each other. Everyone buys into their role on the team, and the players and coaches support each other on and off the pitch.

 While falling short of the title, the B92 Timbers’ run in the Regional Championship was very successful, and establishes a base on which future teams from SW Washington can build. As the second SW Washington team to advance from group play at a National Championship Series Regional tournament, the 92 Reds have broken through a barrier and earned respect for soccer programs throughout the Region.

 The team went 2-1 in group play (losing to ultimate finalist New Mexico in their first game before beating the State Champions from Nevada and Idaho to take second in Group C); and the boys made a spectacular comeback after being down 0-3 in their quarterfinal match against SoCal’s United FC (the Regional League Champion and a Regional Wild Card entry), with only a spectacular double save by the United keeper keeping the score from being tied 3-3 with 5 minutes to go in regulation. The Timbers dominated the second half, with goals by Sean Chesbro and Nate Barber, but it was the consistent aggressive play of the entire team everywhere on the field that brought the Timbers back into the game.

 The spotlight of the team’s accomplishments do not belong to any one player or coach, this Regional run was truly a team effort and everyone contributed significantly to the success. Tournament goals were scored by Chesbro, Barber, Travis Heim and Josh York, and with the rest of the midfield and forwards, including Jarren Parthemer, Sergio Garcia, Ryan Schoellkopf and Bobby Knight pressing to force two own-goals by their opponents, the Timbers outscored their competition 10-8. Defensively, the team kept one clean sheet and held Nevada to a single late goal playing a man down after keeper Alex Wheelon was wrongly red-carded in the first half of that game. Defensive players for the squad are Derek Johnson, Erik Davies, Daniel Froese, Brandon Langeland, Joe White and Hudson Poissant. Coaches for the Timbers B92 include Ryan Southard, Grant Parthemer, JJ Klaus and Scott Wheelon.

 With minimal personnel changes anticipated for the coming year and with the addition of some returning players, the Timbers B92 are poised to repeat as State Champions and anticipate a deeper run into the Regional tournament in 2011.