VANCOUVER — Columbia River scored off a corner kick midway through the second half to capture the District IV Class 2A boys soccer championship with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Thursday night at Kiggins Bowl.

Already assured of a state appearance, the Evergreen 2A Conference champion Bobcats (15-3) will host either Cedarcrest or Liberty in a first-round contest scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Stewart Field.

Thursday’s matchup of the district’s two league champions turned into a tightly fought, physical affair. Adept at headers off throw-ins and corner kicks, Columbia River owned the advantage in shots on goal, but the Bobcats also had several opportunities.

Controlling play in the early stages of the second half, the Chieftains were awarded a disputed penalty kick in the 55th minute. Aberdeen goalkeeper Alexis Garcia-Guzman made a spectuclar save, but deflected the ball over the end line.

The ensuing corner kick was volleyed around and booted home.

Bringing up extra attackers, the Bobcats applied pressure for the remainder of the match and twice barely missed an equalizing goal.

The River goalkeeper tipped Miguel Torres’ 35-yard attempt just over the crossbar. Aberdeen striker Luis Martinez was also barely high on a header in the final minute.

“It was a great effort by our boys, traveling all the way down to Vancouver and going toe-to-toe with a very good team,” AHS coach Larry Fleming said. “We never quit and were very unlucky not to have pulled off an equalizer at the end.”

Fleming cited the play of Torres, Cesar Corona and Tony Oropeza up front and defenders Robby Lewis, Anthony Churlin, Dylan Hughes and Trevor Dawkins.