90th Minute Goal Earns Draw With Whatcom

Everett, WA - The Trojan's men's soccer team entered Monday's match with the 5-1 Orcas from Whatcom Community College coming off of a big 3-0 win on the road over Edmonds the week prior.  Freshman, Nacho Pedrosa had his best game of his college career in that Edmonds game recording two goals and an assist, and he picked up where he left off early on in the Whatcom game.   In just the 2nd minute of the game, Nacho chased down a ball that was thrown into the penalty box from Duglas Cruz, and absorbed some hard contact from the Whatcom goalkeeper.  Despite no foul being called, Pedrosa kept possession and delivered a pass across the box to an open Emmanuel Margarito who sent a hard shot past two Whatcom defenders.  The goal was Emmanuel's first on the season and 3rd of his EvCC career.  

The Orcas would not be defeated so easily, as evident by their 5-1 record coming into the game.  WCC reclaimed the lead after scoring goals in the 21st and 35th minute, going into the half with the 2-1 lead. 

Both teams locked in defensively in the 2nd half, Whatcom allowing just three shots on goal while Everett limited to just two on goal.  It looked as though Whatcom would break the game open in the 74th minute when Flavio Espinoza drew a penalty in the box.  Josh Wong was chosen to take the kick, but it sailed high over the bar giving the Trojans new life.  The Whatcom defense remained tight, and it was not until the 90th minute when EvCC got their opportunities. 

First, Nacho Pedrosa stole the ball away from Whatcom defender Kevin Giessler creating a foot-race 1v1 with the Whatcom goalkeeper.  Giessler caught Pedrosa from behind and clipped his heel just outside of the box forcing the referee to show the red card.  Liam Raney then took the free kick that shaped nicely up and over the wall of defenders but the keeper was able to punch it over the crossbar, giving the Trojans a corner with Whatcom down a man.  To create even more of a numbers advantage, Everett pulled goalkeeper Eric Ibanez all the way down to get into the box.  Margarito took the corner and sent a high ball to the far post into a sea of bodies.  The ball bounced out of the box but was sent back in by Nacho Pedrosa and caught a Whatcom defender on the arm inside the box drawing a penalty kick for the Trojans in the waning moments of stoppage time.  Freshman defender Liam Raney took the kick and sent it low and to the right.  The keeper guessed correctly but the ball snuck underneath and tied the game at 2.  

Everett survived one last push by the Orcas who got off a shot from a free kick that was saved by Eric Ibanez as the referee blew the final whistle.  The Trojans move to 2-4-1 on the season and will travel to Peninsula next Monday to face the 6-1 Pirates.