Everett Advances to NWAC Semifinals

Medford, OR - For the second time in the past three seasons, the Trojans are headed to the NWAC semi finals.  Everett earned their way to Medford, OR to take on the #1 seed from the south region, Rogue Community College after defeating Spokane CC at home in the first round of the NWAC playoffs.  The 480 mile trip south was a sweet one, as the Trojans rolled 3-0 over the Ospreys.   

Leading goal scorer, Cristiano Whitaker nearly had an early goal within the first three minutes of action, his shot from outside the box was just deflected away by the keeper.  Then in the 6th minute, EvCC earned a corner that was taken by Lunden Fenster.  He placed a ball right in front of the net that was nearly headed in by Aidan Raney.  EvCC controlled  first ten minutes of action, pressuring the ball and not allowing the Rogue players to settle whenever they held possession.  Then in the 17th minute, Lunden Fenster again sent in a cross that was punched away by the RCC keeper.  The ball found Whitaker just outside the six yard box, and he threaded a shot off the volley past two defenders to put EvCC on the board.  Its was the sophomore's 12th goal of the season and 32nd of his career at EvCC. 

The Trojans weren't done in the first half and had a few more goal scoring opportunities before a 2nd goal came in the 33rd minute.  This time it was pressure from freshman Caleb Hirata as he tackled the ball away from the Rogue goalkeeper who misplayed it off his foot.  Hirata then shielded the ball away from the keeper and turned to put a right footed shot into the back of an empty net.  Everett went into the half with the 2-0 lead and not allowing a single shot on goal by the opposition.  

Rogue tightened up in the second half but still could not break past the Trojan defense.  Goalkeeper Paddy Murphy was forced to only make two saves, one of which was a real goal scoring threat.  Rogue's chances of completing the comeback were all but eliminated in the 74th minute when a Rogue player committed a foul and was cautioned with a yellow card.  He persisted to argue which drew a second yellow and sent him off the field, forcing RCC to play down a man for the final 15 minutes.  This made it near impossible for the Ospreys to mount any type of goal scoring threat.  

The Trojans played conservatively for the remainder of the match, but drew a free kick in the 90th minute that lead to a third goal.  Cristiano Whitaker took the kick from four yards outside the penalty box and bent a shot around the wall set up by four Rogue defenders.  The ball curved back toward the keeper who punched the ball down, but Jackson Baker was right there to clean up the rebound, scoring the first goal of his college career. 

Everett will advance to the NWAC semifinals and will play Clark College, who finished as the west region's #2 seed.  They upset east region Columbia Basin in a 1-1 match that was settled in penalty kicks.  The match is set for Friday, November 15th at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, WA.  Kick off is set for 4pm.  The winner will face either Peninsual College or Walla Walla Community College in the NWAC Championship on Sunday November 17th.