For all its success in boys soccer over the years, including a 5A title in 2013, the Summit Storm has felt a bit unlucky.
The Storm’s recent history is dotted with narrow playoff losses and agonizing finishes, in particular last season, when it couldn’t seem to catch a break all year and ended up losing in the first round of the 5A playoffs.
“Whether we lost a game, tied a game, we gave up a lot of goals just by a mistake, a bad bounce,” coach Ron Kidder said. “There were some funny things that happened that cost us games last year.”
But maybe Summit’s luck is starting to turn. In its first season in 6A, things are breaking nicely for the Storm (10-1, 4-0 Mountain Valley Conference), which has won four matches 1-0 and is No. 2 in the OSAAtoday coaches poll.
“Those things just haven’t been happening this year,” Kidder said. “We’re not having the same mistakes over and over again. We’re scoring goals late. We’ve been able to execute when games are in the balance.”
Summit has shown a knack for coming through in the clutch in big games. In a 1-0 win over No. 3 Grant, the Storm scored with two minutes left when junior Owen Adams converted an assist from junior Jack Facteau. In a hotly contested game with rival Bend, Summit got a late goal from junior Kyle Capdevila to win 1-0.
The Storm graduated five starters from last year’s team, and with only two seniors on the roster, the move up to 6A appeared daunting. The team starts two seniors, eight juniors and one sophomore.
“We did have realistic expectations,” Kidder said. “I don’t think we expected to be 10-1. But we certainly have some talented players that have been playing together a long time.”
Summit has scored only 20 goals, getting four each from juniors Simon Kidder and Kamdon Simmons, but has allowed a 6A-low three goals. Senior defender Emory Steele, a third-year starter at center back, has galvanized the back line in front of junior goalkeeper Khael Engelman.
“We just aren’t giving up goals,” Ron Kidder said. “We’re playing great team defense, and we’ve been playing great individual defense. Our goalie has been playing great.”
The Storm has not allowed a goal in five matches since a 2-0 loss at No. 5 Sunset on Sept. 20. In that defeat, Summit showed its youth.
“That was a really good test because Sunset is so senior loaded,” Ron Kidder said. “You really notice when you play teams that have so many older kids that are just physically strong. It was one of those games where you really see that, hey, there is potentially a whole ’nother type of team you could face.”
Summit, ranked second in the OSAA power rankings, feels good about its chances to land a high playoff seed. That would force opponents to make the long trip to Bend.
“For us, traveling is tough. Obviously, teams coming our way, it’s tough for them, too, because we’re a long way away,” Ron Kidder said. “Hosting playoff games is a great advantage.
“We’re optimistic. I think we’re going to be going in confident. I don’t think they’re going to be intimidated by anybody.”
