1-1 Draw Means Clinching Playoffs Will Have to Wait

Everett, WA - The #4 ranked Trojans met up with #5 ranked Skagit Valley in a match that had the potential to end one teams playoff hopes and clinch another's.  The North region has had a dominate men's soccer season earning the respect of the entire league as five teams from the region currently hold spots in the top 5 rankings (#1 Whatcom, #2 Peninsula, #4 Everett, #5 Skagit Valley).  Another north program, Bellevue is ranked #10 and even Edmonds received 10 votes to be ranked inside the top 10.  That accounts for all but one team in the north region, but with only three bids available to the NWAC playoffs, some deserving teams will have their seasons end prematurely.

A win for either team would guarantee the #3 seed, while a loss would effectively end their season.  A draw would mean that Saturday's results would be needed to determine the final outcome, and true to North region play this season, that is exactly what happened.  The home Trojans nearly had cause for early celebration as NWAC leading goal scorer River Stewart had a shot hit the post at just two minutes in.  Three more Everett shots had the Cardinals on the defensive and at the 23 minute mark, River Stewart connected on his 23rd goal of the season (an EvCC single season record).  With all the momentum it looked as though the Trojans would control this game to the very end, but Skagit responded with a quick goal right back, and from that moment on it would be a battle for the remaining 63 minutes of the match.  '

Everett would outshoot Skagit Valley 18-10, but the Cardinals forced Trojan keeper Avary Olson to make 6 saves, one more than the SVC goalkeeper.  Twenty Eight total fouls were called, but only four cautions were shown, two for each squad.  

In the 80th minute, Avary Olson came away with the save of the match the prevented the go ahead goal, and four minutes later, Oliver Giessler had a chance to be the hero but an equally impressive save by Skagit Goalkeeper Masaya Nitta was made at the other end.  In the waning moments Everett had a couple of opportunities for late game heroics.  

Victor Aguilar had a shot that went wide left with two minutes to play in regulation time, and in stoppage Colin Abendroth fired a shot that just missed wide right.  Everett earned one last chance with a corner kick from Emmanuel Escalante but it was defended well and on the clearance the final whistle sounded.  

The 1-1 draw keeps Everett tied with Skagit for 3rd in the standings at 31 points apiece.  Both teams play on Saturday, the Cardinals have a date with #2 Peninsula College, while the Trojans play Pierce College, a team that has struggled this season with a 1-17 record.  A Trojan win against Pierce, regardless of the result for the Skagit/Penininsula game would mean that Everett is in the playoffs for the 4th consecutive season and the second straight under coach second year coach Kieren Raney. 

The match against Pierce will be at Everett Memorial Stadium on Saturday, October 29th with a 2:15pm kick off.