The Ilwaco soccer team closed their 2022 season with a 4-0 shutout victory over Raymond last week at home, led by goals by seniors Joey Fitzgerald and Chance Bair. The Fishermen finished the season with a program-best 7-8 overall record, narrowly missing district playoffs.

ILWACO — In the final soccer match of the season, the seniors made their mark.

The Ilwaco soccer team closed their 2022 season with a 4-0 shutout victory Thursday, May 5 over Raymond at home, led by goals by seniors Joey Fitzgerald and Chance Bair.

The Fishermen finished the season with a program-best 7-8 overall record, narrowly missing qualifying for district playoffs.

The 2022 campaign marked a drastic improvement for a program that started only three years ago, winning more games this season than the first two combined.

Ilwaco will lose nearly a dozen players to graduation, including Joey Fitzgerald (6), Jaden Turner (8), Daniel Quintana (10), Sam Stark (12), Gabe McCargish (15), Sam Glenn (18), Chance Bair (19), Michael Jensen (20), Lucas Hart (21), Anthony Skillings (24) and Hayden Babcock (27).

Fishermen dominate in final match

Ilwaco senior midfielder Chance Bair opened the scoring with a rebound goal less than five minutes into the match (35:35), giving the Fishermen an early 1-0 lead.

Soggy field conditions plagued play in parts of the field, particularly goal keeping and corner kicks.

Senior midfielder Joey Fitzgerald added second goal less than 10 minutes later (26:00). Fitzgerald added his second goal on a free kick with a blistering shot to the top corner, making the score 3-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

Junior defender Ryan Morris (9) scored the final goal with a stunning shot that sent his Ilwaco teammates into a frenzy.

In the waning minutes, seniors Gabe McCargish (15) and Daniel Quintana (10) had near-scoring chances.