Trojans Headed for Playoffs

The Trojans men's soccer team capped off their best regular season finish in program history with a 3-1 victory over Skagit Valley Saturday afternoon.  The 12-8-0 overall record is three wins more than the previous high of nine wins, set last year by head coach Erik Cruz's 2017 team and the conference win total of nine wins surpasses the previous record of 8 set in 2007, when the team finished 2nd in North Region play and advanced to the NWAC Quarterfinals.

In a match that did not matter in terms of of playoff positioning, the Trojans still came out with plenty of motivation on sophomore day, the last home game of the season, and the last home game ever as a Trojan for the nine sophomores on the roster.  The match would have some early action in which the Cardinals thought to have a goal in the opening minutes, but was called back due to an offisides.  That would be enough to get the Trojan offense in gear as they would earn a corner kick in the 11th minute that was sent in by sophomore Oscar Rodriguez and headed in by freshman Mamadi Sarr.  The assist would be Oscar's 2nd of the season, and Mamadi's 4th goal of the season.

Skagit Valley, already eliminated from playoff contention, would continue to play hard and physical, tying the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 23rd minute.  They would go on to pressure the Everett goal keeper, Daniel Acosta who made two saves on 5 shot attempts.  The physicality would continue through the 1st half, Everett was called for 10 fouls and while Skagit Valley was only whistled for three, they were guilty of two yellow cards.

Everett would reclaim the lead early in the second half, when freshman Dullo Jallow took the ball 1 v 1 down the left side and sent a low cross that was just past the outstretched arms of a diving keeper and onto the foot of freshman Jeremy Lucas who scored his 2nd goal of the season. 

Fourteen minutes later the game would be sealed when Dullo Jallow again beat a defender on the left side and dropped a nice pass into Owen Padilla who fired a shot just inside the box to the far post.  The assist was Dullo's 2nd of the game and 5th on the season, placing him tied among a team best 21 points on the year.  Freshman Owen Padilla scored his 2nd goal of the season. 

Everett finished 3rd in the North region and advances to the playoffs for the 2nd straight year.  They will face Tacoma Community College who finished as West Region Co-Champions.  The Titans will now enter the playoffs for their 7th straight season and won the NWAC Championship in 2016.  Last year Tacoma advanced to the quarter finals where they lost in overtime to Spokane CC in Spokane.

Kick-off is set for Wednesday, October 31st at 3pm at Tacoma CC.  The winner will advance to the quarterfinals and will travel to Coos Bay, OR to take on the Southern Region Champions, Southwestern Oregon CC.