Humbled at Home

Everett, WA - After an electric start to the season, the Trojans were humbled at home to a strong North Idaho team and shut out for the first time this season.  Both teams entered the contest at 2-0, and excelling particularly on the offensive side of possession.  Dani Amador had the first goal scoring opportunity for either team in the 7th minute when he beat a defender in the box, but could not quite sneak it past the NIC keeper.  Moments later, the Trojans had another chance when Liam Raney made a run from his midfield position and sent a cross that beat the keeper, but Nacho Pedrosa could not quite capitalize on a left foot from a tough angle, missing just left of the post.  

From that point, NIC switched gears putting pressure on the Trojan defense, and a turnover at midfield in the 22nd minute led to a Cardinal transition with a deflected shot that found Braden Bennett for his third goal of the season in his third consecutive game.   North Idaho would continue the surge through the remainder of the half, putting four more shots on frame, but all four were secured safely by redshirt freshman keeper Matarr Saho.

The intensity of the game grew in the 2nd half when Liam Raney was nearly called for his second yellow of the game when he tangled with an NIC forward.  This would have disqualified him, but the referee withdrew both cards that he originally was going to give out to both players.  In total there were 32 fouls combined between the two teams, but none were committed in an area of the field that presented too much danger.  The half would continue with neither team gaining an edge until Everett put together one final surge in the last five minutes of the game.  Their best opportunity came in the 89th minute when Victor Aguilar's shot hit the cross bar and careened over.  The final whistle came a few moments later, giving the Trojans their first loss of the season while the Cardinals improved to 3-0.

Everett will have a full 7 days rest before opening up region play with NWAC powerhouse Highline College who is 2-0 on the season with wins at the NWAC Friendlies over strong teams in Columbia Basin (2-0 win) and Chemeketa (3-2 win).  Kickoff will be at 6:15pm at Kasch Park.