HILLSBORO – A year ago, Piper Abrams watched from the sideline on crutches as her Bend soccer team lost in the 5A final.
Saturday, Abrams returned to the championship game at Hillsboro Stadium, but this time, she turned out to be the difference-maker for the Lave Bears (17-0-1).
The junior center midfielder scored a goal in the 15th minute to give second-seeded Bend a 1-0 win over No. 1 North Eugene/Triangle Lake in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 5A final.
“Watching last year's final, I was so proud of my team, but it was disappointing for me not being able to get out there on the field,” said Abrams, who missed the second half of last season with a broken foot. “This year, I'm just really grateful that I had the opportunity to.”
She made it count by supplying the offense in Bend's first championship win since 2009. Sophomore Tatyana Fobi played the ball ahead to Abrams, who was wedged between the goalkeeper and a defender but found a way to head the ball into the goal.
Bend coach Scott Sagar said the goal was a “phenomenal reward” for Abrams.
“On crutches the second half of last season, she watched her team go all the way where she wanted to be,” Sagar said. “So for her to come back a year later, with two fit feet, and a passion that she's going to get one, and she did it. It's the best day in the world for her, and the entire group.”
It was a gut-wrenching defeat for North Eugene (17-1), which was hoping to deliver the first state title for longtime coach Brandy Wormdahl, who is No. 3 on the state's all-time wins list (294 in 30 seasons). The Highlanders had 15 shots, matching Bend, but could not find the net as they suffered their first loss of the season.
“We made a little mistake, it cost us, and we weren't able to finish,” said Wormdahl, who is 0-3 in state finals. “We had some really good looks at the goal, and we just didn't put them on frame, which is unusual for them.
“The only thing I feel bad about is I think they felt a little weight of, 'We've got to do this for Brandy.' And they don't. They've done so much for me.”
Bend returned its lineup virtually intact from last year, when it lost to Wilsonville 4-1 in the state final. The Lava Bears lived up to high expectations by winning the tough Intermountain Conference, beating four-time reigning champion Wilsonville 3-1 in the semifinals, then shutting down the dangerous Highlanders.
“We went into the season with the mentality of, 'Hey, last year we made it, but it wasn't super expected by anybody,'” said junior forward Shea Manfredi, who led the team with 26 goals. “This year, let's show them that we can do it again. It was more we wanted to show everybody it's not just a one-time thing.”
Bend has come a long way in its three seasons under Sagar. The Lava Bears went 5-8-1 in his first season and 12-5-1 last year before going unbeaten this season.
“The intensity in practices and games is a lot more serious now,” Abrams said. “When Scott first got here, that first year, it was a lot more about fun having a great time on the field. Since then, it's a lot more about having fun while winning. Our team spirit and culture lifts everyone up so we're all confident on the field.”
North Eugene's best chances came from junior Zari Thomas, whose rocket from about 30 yards missed high in the 31st minute, and sophomore Camden Dewitt, who narrowly missed high on shots from about 20 and 30 yards in the second half.
It marked the second year in a row that the Highlanders' season ended at the hands of Bend. Last year, they fell to the Lava Bears in the quarterfinals in a penalty-kick shootout.
With several key players eligible to return next season, the future looks bright for North Eugene.
“They'll get back here. I have faith in them,” Wormdahl said.
jerryu@osaa.org
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