Boys soccer: Sasha DeVassie scores overtime game-winner as Westview beats Aloha to advance to Class 6A state final

Alexander “Sasha” DeVassie scored on a header off of a corner kick with minutes left in the second overtime period. It would end up being the goal that sent the Wildcats to the state championship game.

No. 7 Westview defeated No. 11 Aloha 2-1 in overtime in the semifinals of the OSAA Class 6A boys soccer state championship tournament Tuesday at Westview High School.

“We worked all the time in training. I’m the main target, regardless of my size. I was on that back post, and I saw it,” DeVassie said about the goal. “Headed down, just like I practiced, and it went in the back of the net. I’m super happy.”

Westview will face tournament top seed Jesuit in the Class 6A championship final match on Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. Jesuit beat No. 12 Gresham on Tuesday 6-1 to advance.

The Wildcats are seeking their first boys soccer state title since 2017.

“I feel so amazing. We worked so hard, and we never gave up,” said DeVassie, who is a senior. “We have a motto on our team. ‘The game doesn’t end until the last zero minute.’ We worked hard, and we got it back in the second half of overtime. I’m super proud of the team.”

With Tuesday’s result, Westview (14-2-2) avenged its loss to Aloha during the regular season. The Wildcats also lost to Jesuit during the regular season, and they now aim to avenge that loss as well as clinching a state title Saturday.

“Well, Jesuit is one of the only teams that we lost to, so I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Westview senior Jeffrey “JJ” Diaz. “I want a rematch, and I want to beat them. That’s how I’m feeling. I’m ready.”

Diaz leveled the score at 1-1 halfway through the second overtime period. Westview was awarded a penalty kick, and Diaz converted from the spot.

“I’m feeling amazing. Oh, my goodness. That was the craziest game ever,” Diaz said. “If I’m being honest, that’s kind of our thing. We’ve been doing that all playoffs. We just kind of locked the other team down. That was unlucky that they got a penalty, but luckily we got one back and pulled through. At the end of the day, we wanted it more.”

Late in the first half, Diaz scored with a shot from distance that found the bottom corner, but the goal was disallowed as the line judge called Diaz offsides.

“I was so mad. I don’t even know why (it was disallowed). It was a banger, too,” Diaz said. “That kind of made me super mad. If we would have lost from that, then that would have been even worse.”

Westview coach Jon Fresh said he believed that this year’s squad had the potential to contend for a state title.

“I knew that it was possible, but every game, we were tested. Every game, we had a lesson that we had to learn. We applied that, and now, here we are,” Fresh said. “Aloha, fabulous program. Great season. You saw the mistakes made by both sides tonight — the opportunities that weren’t put away. At the end of the day, anybody could have won this game. I’m fortunate that it was us. We’re here in our home, and I’m pleased with that, but all the credit goes to Aloha. They pushed us hard.”

The Wildcats coach added about facing Jesuit in the final: “I feel very fortunate that we get to see Jesuit in the final. I like our chances. This is not the same team that played them in league. We’ve improved. We’re better. … Regardless, we’ve already won this year. We’ve had a successful season, and I’m pleased and happy that I get to represent my school in the final.”

Aloha (12-3-3) scored a go-ahead goal in the final minute of the first overtime period. Warriors senior midfielder Yahir Ocampo-Navarro was fouled in the penalty area to award Aloha a penalty kick.

Ocampo-Navarro also took the penalty kick for Aloha and converted from the spot.

“I feel shock,” said Aloha coach Enrique Abad. “Our goal was to make it to the finals, and we thought we could get it. We scored the first goal, then in the second overtime, it seems like everything changed. It is what it is. We played well, and I think the kids put every ounce of their sweat on the field. They did a great job. I feel disappointed for the outcome, but it is what it is.”

Throughout the game, Ocampo-Navarro was heavily involved in the Warriors attack.

“Not just today. He plays every single game that way. He’s the engine on the team,” Abad said of Ocampo-Navarro. “He did an amazing job this season, but it’s (about) teamwork. It’s not just one player.”

Aloha junior goalkeeper Joshua Meza Otero said he could have played that corner kick better.

“I’m heartbroken right now,” Otero said. “I blame the second goal on me because I hesitated on the ball, and it just bounced right over. If they didn’t get that corner, it could have been something else.”

Though disappointed in the result, the Warriors goalie hopes his teammates will keep their heads up and have a season next year that’s just as successful as this year.

“We had a lot of tough times during the season,” Otero said. “I’m glad for the team that we made it this far. I know we could have made it further, but just the mistakes that happened, it just cost us.”