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| Wenatchee had a tough time stopping the league's top two teams last week |
WEEK 5 RECAP
Saturday, May 23
Olympic Force 2 :: 1 Seattle Stars
The league newcomers finally registered their first victory Saturday evening, downing the Stars, who were playing at an alternate venue, on the road. Colin Ralston's second goal of the season in the 36th minute gave the Force the lead and Miles Nilsen doubled the advantage four minutes later. Alexis Mardari added his second of the year for Seattle at the hour mark, but that was all the Stars could muster for a comeback.
Scoring Summary - OLY: Colin Ralston 36, Miles Nilsen 40; SEA: Alexis Mardari 60
Goalkeepers - OLY: Spencer Miele; SEA: Scott Barnum
Location - Quil Ceda Stadium (Marysville); Attendance: 65
Wenatchee FC 2 :: 8 South Sound FC
The day's second contest was a completely different scenario than what played out previously, and was a bit of deja vu for the Capitals. With what is possibly the fast goal in league history, Scott Hanson put the Shock, at home for the first time this season, ahead early with a goal 20 seconds in off a chance created by JJ Schmeck. Wenatchee, though, showed some grit and were able to take the lead over the next 19 minutes with Eleazar Galvan scoring in the ninth minute on a controversial goal where the ball may not have crossed the line and again in the 20th.
That was it though for the Capitals. South Sound tied it up with Schmeck getting a goal of his own three minutes later. Schmeck turned creator again, delivering a corner that Jay Hardy nodded in for a 3-2 lead at the break - the same scoreline Wenatchee experienced at home against Spokane earlier this season. And just like the game against the Shadow, the second half was a nightmare as they allowed five unanswered goals again. Vince McCluskey scored the first three in the half and Brandon Madsen scored the fourth and set up the fifth by Hardy.
Scoring Summary - WEN: Eleazar Galvan 9, Galvan 20; SS: Scott Hanson (JJ Schmeck) 1, Schmeck (Tyler John) 23, Jay Hardy (Schmeck) 28, Vince McCluskey (Danny Minniti) 57, McCluskey (Marcus Wilson) 60, McCluskey (Schmeck) 69, Brandon Madsen (Colton Ronk) 83, Hardy (Madsen) 87
Goalkeepers - WEN: Jesse Reyes; SS: Chris Kintz
Location - Harry Lang Stadium (Lakewood); Attendance: 204
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| Jesse Esquivel |
Bellingham United 0 :: 4 Yakima United
Yakima was the first team to complete a series against an opponent this season, and made a bit of a statement in doing so, blanking Bellingham by the same 4-0 scoreline once again. Hector Valdovinos scored his third of the year on a ball from Jesse Esquivel in the 33rd minute.
In the second half, though, it was the Esquivel Show. He pushed the lead to two in the 68th minute on a ball from Rafael Valle and made it three in the 79th via a penalty after a handball call. Valdovinos turned provider to finish Esquivel's hat-trick, beating several defenders before finding his strike partner open for an easy finish with four minutes left.
The result put Yakima in third and made them the first two with two shutouts on the season. Esquivel's hat-trick propelled him to the top of the league's goals table with six.
Scoring Summary - YAK: Hector Valdovinos (Jesse Esquivel) 33, Esquivel (Rafael Valle) 68, Esquivel (penalty) 79, Esquivel (Valdovinos) 86
Goalkeepers - BEL: Riley Liddle; YAK: Jacob Rhoads
Location - Marquette Stadium (Yakima); Attendance: 158
Facing the daunting task of playing the league's two unbeaten sides on the same trip, the Capitals were unable to rebound from a two-goal deficit the hosts put on them late in the first half. In the 34th minute Borce Atanasov found Timur Zhividze for the opening strike - his fifth goal of the year - and just before the break Atanasov found the back of the net himself.
Atanasov scored his second of the match, third of the season, at the hour mark on a ball from Tracey Hasson. Wenatchee scored its lone goal in the 74th through Dylan Avey. The hosts capped the match in the 90th with Alex Nimo connecting with Alex Segovia for the final strike.
Scoring Summary - WEN: Dylan Avey 74; VAN: Timur Zhividze (Borce Atanasov) 34, Atanasov 45, Atanasov (Tracey Hasson) 60, Alex Segovia (Alex Nimo) 90
Goalkeepers - WEN: Mauricio Sanchez; VAN: Arne Niermann
Location - McKenzie Stadium (Vancouver); Attendance: 429
INWsn's THREE STARS IN EPLWA
Jesse Esquivel (Yakima United) :: A hat-trick in another 4-0 victory against Bellingham United. He is the first player to receive Three Stars recognition twice this season.
Borce Atanasov (Vancouver) :: The striker set up the first goal and then scored two of his own as Vancouver dominated in a 4-1 win against Wenatchee.
JJ Schmeck (South Sound) :: Though Vince McCluskey had a had-trick in the second half that put the match out of reach, it was Schmeck that did much of the hard work in a competitive first half. He created the opening goal in the first minute and then, after they fell behind 2-1, he scored the equalizer and set up the go-ahead goal that proved to hold as the winner. He also added another assist on McCluskey's third strike.
COMING UP IN WEEK 6
Friday, May 29
Olympic Force @ Yakima United - 7:00
The two sides meet for the first time. A year ago against the previous peninsula side, Yakima defeated WestSound 5-2 and 3-2.
Saturday, May 30
Olympic Force @ Wenatchee FC - 6:00
The two sides are set to complete their season series. Wenatchee won the first first meeting, 4-1, three weeks ago on the road. Eleazar Galvan had a good evening, registering the first three goals in the opening 22 minutes. He also set up the fourth, by Matheus Correa, in stoppage time at the close of the contest. Olympic's lone goal came from Izzy Deluna four minutes before intermission.
Yakima United @ Spokane Shadow - 7:00
The two longtime rivals meet for the first time this season. A year ago the Hoppers upended the Shadow with a comeback from a two-goal deficit in Spokane's second match of the season. Devin Leon scored seven minutes in and Mike Ramos pushed the lead to two in the 26th before the visitors made their amazing rally. Hector Valdovinos cut into the hole in the 35th on a ball from Cesar Rodriguez, who scored himself two minutes later to knot things up. Rodriguez went on to create the surprising winner in the 90th minute from Junior Garcia that gave Yakima a 3-2 win. It was the Shadow's last loss of the season as they went unbeaten the rest of the way en route to the league title. Within that run, the Shadow snared a narrow 1-0 road win in Yakima with Adam Talley scoring in the 90th minute on a ball from Ramos.
Seattle Stars @ South Sound - 7:00
The two local foes will meet for the second time this season. The Shock took the first meeting the opening weekend of the month by a narrow 3-2 scoreline. The Stars took the lead on a goal from Anderson Dias in the 35th only to see the visitors run off three consecutive to grab a commanding advantage with 18 minutes left. Micah Wenzel converted a penalty just before halftime and then Kellen Brown scored in the 55th and set up Brandon Madsen in the 72nd. Alexis Madari converted a penalty also five minutes later for Seattle, but the Stars were unable to find an equalizer. Last year the pair split the season series with Seattle falling 1-0 at home but winning 2-0 on the road.
Sunday, May 31
Vancouver Victory @ Bellingham United - 3:00
The two sides meet for the second time this season. Vancouver won the initial match at home three weeks ago, 4-1. The Hammers took the initial lead on a goal from Tyler Bjork, but Timur Zhividze converted from the spot to tie it up and set up Mikhail Doholis for the winner. Lamar Prince and Alex Segovia rounded out the scoring.
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