United crowned District Champions as dream season continues to unfold

United has so far had a nearly perfect season.

The Winlock/Toledo United soccer club has had an unbelievable season. After only allowing three goals to be scored against themselves in league, and being undefeated in league play with no ties, they entered into Districts the prohibitive favorite. However, they would need to accomplish something that is notoriously hard to do in sports--namely beat a very good team for the third time in a single season. They faced White Salmon Thursday night, May 11, in a giant revenge game for the Bruins, who had lost to United 3-0 and 2-0 during the regular season.

The game was scoreless in the first half with both defenses turning back the other teams' strikers. In their last meeting, Gustavo Barragan scored twice to hurt the Bruins, and Andreas Malunat has also scored key goals for United throughout the season. However, the two constants for the team have been great defense and great offensive teamwork, with lots of different players scoring timely goals.

Thursday's dramatic outcome is probably best described in Coach Horst's own words: "United won 1-0 with a goal from Jonathan Van Vleck from a cross from Nicholas Patching in the 76th minute."

Alan Contreras had his 11th shutout as goalie, and the team improved their overall record this season to 16-1.

United then faced Hoquiam in the District Championship on Saturday at Kings Way High School in Vancouver. There, Contreras turned in another shut-out performance in the goal and United were crowned District Champions.

United have accomplished this season what very few teams even dare to set as goals. We now look forward to seeing what sort of noise they can make in the State Tournament!