2A District Boys Soccer: Columbia River tops Hockinson 4-1 to claim district title
May 16-It's become a familiar story in the 2A district boys soccer tournament.
Columbia River comes away with a trophy, and Hockinson glad to be going to state.
That's exactly how it played out on a cold and breezy Saturday at Columbia River's John O'Rourke Field as the Rapids downed Hockinson 4-1 to win their fifth consecutive 2A district title as they look to defend their state title.
"We just played together as a team," said junior Tyson Massengale, who scored two goals in the first half. "These are feisty games against Hockinson. That's a great team we just played."
In their two 2A Greater St. Helens League matches, River (16-2-2) posted wins of 5-0 and 3-1 over the Hawks (15-4-1). Still, the Hawks didn't make it easy in the first half.
Massengale scored on a free kick just 5 minutes into the match, and Hockinson held firm to keep it at 1-0 until with about 9 minutes left in the half, Hawks' sophomore Makahi Velazquez tied it up with an assist from Xavier Ayala.
It was the first goal scored against Columbia River in five matches, the last coming in that 3-1 match against Hockinson on April 28.
However, when you are the state champs, breaks tend to fall your way.
Massengale was awarded a penalty kick for a hand ball in the box about 3 minutes later and he put it in the left bottom corner of the goal to put the Rapids back on top to stay.
Hockinson tried some new things, as coach Tony Avala put it, to try and take Columbia River out of its game. And it worked for a while.
"We struggled to mark them in wide spaces sometimes," River senior Teagan Goaring said. "So, in the second half, we had to adjust our strikers and we were able to press together in the second half and have more success."
That success, said senior midfielder Peter Henrichs-Tarasenkov, all came from talking at halftime about what wasn't working for the Rapids.
"We just had to work on it, and that led to the first goal in the second half," he said.
Goaring scored off a nice pass from freshman Yeshia Montoya-Haluapo to make it 3-1.
Senior Gavin Sellers sealed the deal on a breakaway goal and the district trophy would stay in the Rapids' possession. They have won six matches in a row.
"It's tough because all roads lead through River," Avala said. "This was a tune up game, no pressure. You want to win, compete and do well. I'm really pleased with this group. They earned their place at state."
Teams will learn their first-round state opponents on Sunday.
"That's a great team that's going with us," Massengale said of Hockinson. "This isn't going to be an easy journey. We just have to take every game as it comes."
COLUMBIA RIVER 4, HOCKINSON 1
Columbia River
Goals (assists) - Tyson Massengale (free kick), Massengale (PK), Teagan Goaring (Yeshia Montoya-Haluapo), Gavin Sellers (Pytor Henrichs-Tarasenkov). Goalkeeper saves - Aedan Pena 2.
Hockinson
Goal (assist) - Makhai Velazquez (Xavier Ayala). Goalkeeper saves - Owen Donowitz 7.
Halftime - 2-1.
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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM.