Cameron Powers has been nearly perfect.
The senior goalie on the Northeast High School boys soccer team has done just about everything right this season.
A three-year starter, the Somerton resident helped the Vikings win a very competitive Public League, besting Franklin Towne Charter in the championship.
Typically, that’s a great season for Northeast, but it’s usually where it ends.
That’s because after winning the Public League, next up is a matchup against the Catholic League, a league that excels in soccer and traditionally has some of the best teams in the area. This year was no different. La Salle proved to be the class of the Catholic League and was going to be a problem if it got to the state tournament, but Northeast prevented that, besting the Explorers 2-1.
This was a La Salle team that suffered just one loss during the regular season and ran roughshod through the Catholic League playoffs.
Ever the soccer fan, Powers had a front-row seat at the Catholic League championship where the Explorers defeated Ryan 5-0.
“Some of us went to that game to watch and we thought La Salle came out so fast, so we knew we had to come into the game with the same energy,” Powers said. “Not to me directly, but other people said how they thought we were going to lose. A lot of people didn’t believe we were going to win. Our friends, they believed in us. But a lot of people didn’t.”
In that game, he couldn’t have been more perfect.
The same could be said about the team’s first-round state playoff game.
The Vikings hosted Central Bucks South in the first round of the Class 4A tournament, and after playing to a scoreless regulation and overtime, the teams went to a shootout.
Powers made a save during the second round of the PKs, and he had a chance to end it with a goal in the final round, but he missed, sending it to another round.
Eventually, Powers came up with a huge save, sending CB South home and the Vikings into the next round.
Northeast will play Parkland in the quarterfinals on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pennridge. A win would send the Vikings to the state semifinals.
Powers was a little upset with himself after missing the winning kick, but he had the right guys around him to help him get focused.
“Honestly, I was really mad at myself and started to get sad,” Powers said. “If we lost, I would have blamed myself. But the fans and my teammates and coaches said, ‘Keep your head up, you got this.’ That helped me a lot and I was able to get back at it.
“On the save, for the final shot, I guessed the right way. The kicker messed up a little and it floated. It wasn’t a strong shot, so it was easier, but I did guess the right way and I was able to save it.”
The win proved that Northeast isn’t just a good Public League team. The Vikings are good enough to play with anyone in the state.
It might shock a lot of soccer fans, but the Vikings aren’t surprised at all.
“We all thought we’d do well right from the start,” said Powers, who became a goalie as a kid because he liked to dive and get dirty, two things he did in both the District 12 championship and the first-round playoff game. “Preseason we did OK, not as well as I thought we could, but we worked on chemistry and the team got to know each other. We got it. Then we played well in the Public League season. Came with the same mentality against La Salle and now we’re doing the same thing in states.”
A starter since his sophomore year, Powers won three Public League championships during his tenure. Every year was a learning experience and he and his teammates are putting it all together for one final run.
“We all played really good together and played for each other,” Powers said. “Nobody really tries to play as an individual. We just connect as a team, play as we’re supposed to play.
“I’m proud of beating La Salle to be honest. Nobody thought we could win the game. It could have been my final game, winning districts is a brand new thing. It’s great to compete in states.”
Powers hasn’t decided his future beyond this year, but he knows his options. He is looking to play soccer in college, but if he doesn’t, he plans on working with his father, who does construction.
“That’s a good job and I’ll learn from him,” said Powers, who is undecided on a major if he does attend college. “My parents have helped me a lot. I’ve had help, my teammates and my coaches. Even if I feel like I’m not having a good day, game or practice, they push me to keep going. That just keeps me going.”
He hopes that road leads to a state championship.
“Honestly, the goal is to win a state championship, and I really think we can do it,” Powers said. “I just want to go as far as we can. The teams left are good, but I believe in this team.”
