Columbia River Boys Soccer Reloads with New Roster

Defending state champions graduate 10 seniors but still dominate early season match

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:07pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a high school soccer match, with geometric shapes in bright green, white, and red representing the field, players, and ball, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.A young Columbia River squad proves it can still dominate the 2A Greater St. Helens League with a decisive early-season victory.Hockinson Today

The Columbia River boys soccer team is not the same squad that won the 2A state championship last year, having graduated 10 seniors from that experienced and talented roster. The 2026 team features five freshmen starters, but they still managed to rout perennial power Hockinson 5-0 in their latest match, surprising their own coach with the dominant performance.

Why it matters

Despite losing a wealth of senior leadership, Columbia River has maintained its status as one of the top 2A programs in the state, proving the program's culture and development system can sustain success even with significant roster turnover. This early-season blowout win over Hockinson suggests the Rapids may be reloading rather than rebuilding, keeping them among the favorites in the 2A Greater St. Helens League.

The details

The 2026 Columbia River roster features five freshmen starters, a stark contrast from the veteran-laden team that won the state title last year. However, in their latest match, the Rapids dominated perennial power Hockinson 5-0, with sophomore Mason Renner scoring two goals. Head coach Matt Newman admitted he did not expect such a lopsided result against the tough Hawks squad.

  • The 2026 Columbia River boys soccer team opened its season on April 3, 2026.

The players

Columbia River

The defending 2A state champion boys soccer program, known for its sustained success and ability to reload even after significant roster turnover.

Mason Renner

A sophomore forward for Columbia River who scored two goals in the team's 5-0 rout of Hockinson.

Matt Newman

The head coach of the Columbia River boys soccer team, who was surprised by his young team's dominant performance against a tough Hockinson squad.

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What they’re saying

“'5-0 against Hockinson? That's tough. They're a very, very tough team, and I did not expect the boys to come out like that. But that's the kind of drive they have right now. It's cool.'”

— Matt Newman, Head Coach, Columbia River

The takeaway

Despite losing significant senior talent from last year's championship team, the Columbia River boys soccer program has maintained its status as one of the top 2A programs in the state, demonstrating the strength of its development system and culture. This early-season blowout win over a perennial power suggests the Rapids may be reloading rather than rebuilding, keeping them among the favorites in the league race.