Senior Luke Unruh (17) is part of a Beaverton back line that has shut down opponents the last two seasons. (Photo by JR Olson)

For Beaverton's boys soccer team to repeat its success from last year – when it won it first state title since 1985 – coach Jason Carney knows that the Beavers can't afford to look back.

“When we got together, we said that we just want to treat it like we haven't won anything,” Carney said. “High school kids have big egos, and I was worried, but these boys are just phenomenal, all of them.”

Seven starters from the state final are back in the fold, including a defensive line that has helped limit foes to a combined 12 goals in the last two seasons. The Beavers also are bolstered by two additions from the Timbers Academy.

Expectations are high, especially from Carney, who posted a 38-6-8 record in his first three seasons with the team, punctuated by an 18-1-1 mark in 2025.

“This is the best group I've had since I've been the coach,” Carney said. “We still have good character, but it's the best talent pool I've had. I'm excited to see how they do.”

The bedrock is the veteran back line of seniors Cal Spear, Luke Unruh and Gavin Rice. The trio has a deep connection built from playing together in youth soccer at an early age.

Spear, the reigning 6A player of the year, is a physical force. He was the hero in the state final against Grant, producing the equalizer in the second half and the clinching penalty kick in the shootout.

“They all look up to him,” Carney said. “I think he's played in every single game since he was a freshman.”

Beaverton graduated a 6A first-team goalkeeper in Mason Schinderle but has filled the spot with junior Mason Walters, who joins the team from the Timbers Academy.

“Mason Walters is an exceptional goalkeeper,” Carney said. “We got fortunate.”

The other addition from the Timbers Academy is junior Sam Vasquez. The attacking midfielder helps make up for the graduation of the team's leading scorer in Gio Ruano-Aguilera (14 goals, seven assists).

“He's tidy on the ball. He's a game-changer,” Carney said.

With improved ball movement, Carney believes Beaverton's attack is positioned to be more explosive this season. Five different players scored goals in the team's first two games, a 1-1 tie at McDaniel on Aug. 31 and a 7-0 home win over Tigard on Sept. 3.

In the season-opening tie against McDaniel, the Beavers got a goal from senior Champ McClain in the first five minutes but they allowed McDaniel to score on a free kick with 40 seconds left.

“It was good for us. It definitely lit a fire under us,” Carney said.

Beaverton responded by unloading on Tigard. Vasquez recorded a hat trick and McClain, Unruh, senior Joaquin Fernandez and sophomore Brandon Ostorga Jimenez had single goals.

“We just came out firing and smothered them,” Carney said.

The Beavers were No. 1 in the OSAAtoday preseason 6A coaches poll but slipped to No. 4 this week. They will be tested by a nonleague schedule that includes games against No. 1 Lakeridge, No. 2 Grant, No. 5 McMinnville and 5A No. 2 La Salle Prep, a reigning state champion.

The Oct. 1 home game against McMinnville will give them a chance to avenge their only loss from last year, when they fell to the Grizzlies 3-0.

In the Metro League, Beaverton once again must overcome No. 3 Jesuit. The Crusaders long ruled the Metro but the Beavers have won the last two league titles, their first since 1990. Carney knows that Beaverton's higher profile comes with a target.

“I said that when I took over three years ago that I want us to become like Jesuit,” Carney said. “I love it that people are going to raise their game against us. We want people coming in here and being at their best. The boys are not fazed at that.”

Pacers climb to No. 1

Lakeridge supplanted Beaverton at the top spot in the OSAAtoday 6A boys coaches poll this week, partially due to a 2-1 season-opening home win over Jesuit on Sept. 1.

The Pacers (2-0), ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, fell behind the Crusaders 1-0 on a goal by senior Vala Saghafi in the 29^th minute. They drew even in the 30^th minute, though, when junior Jackson Romero was fouled in the box and converted the ensuing penalty kick. Romero got the go-ahead goal in the 48^th minute, depositing a pass from senior Zavier Lara.

Lakeridge followed up Sept. 3 by beating North Salem 4-1 at home.

Other top-ranked teams in the coaches polls this week are Summit (5A), Stayton (4A), Catlin Gabel (3A) and Grand View Christian Academy (2A/1A).

The No. 1 teams in the girls polls are Jesuit (6A), Bend (5A), Marist Catholic (4A) and Catlin Gabel (3A/2A/1A).

McLaughlin hits 100

Marist Catholic senior Libby McLaughlin has raised her state-record career assists total to triple digits.

McLaughlin had three goals and two assists Sept. 1 as the 4A No. 1 Spartans opened the season with a 7-0 win at No. 7 Philomath. That gives her 100 career assists, far ahead of No. 2 on the list, Jesuit's Callan Harrington (63).

McLaughlin set the state single-season assist record last year when she recorded 41. She had 29 assists in 2024 and 28 in 2023.

Two-time reigning 4A champion Marist Catholic is off to a 2-0 start. The Spartans blanked Philomath behind McLaughlin and seniors Cruz Donawa (three goals) and Tori Sherman (three assists). They won at Willamette 3-0 on Sept. 3, getting two goals from Donawa and one from McLaughlin.