Valiant Effort on Sophomore Night Ends in Heartbreaking Loss

Everett, WA - The 2025 season came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday night, after a thrilling match with 7 total goals scored concluded with the Trojans on the wrong side of a 4-3 final.  Everett entered the night just two points behind Skagit Valley College in the north region standings and in control over their own destiny to make the third and final playoff spot.  EvCC battled back into contention with wins over Shoreline and Edmonds to get back within striking distance.  An SVC loss to Whatcom set up a "win and in" regular season finale on sophomore night.  

The rain started coming down hard at kick off, and it wasn't long before Skagit Valley would get on the board.  Just five minutes in, SVC converted but the Trojans would answer back with two goals of their own to reclaim the lead by the 18 minute mark. Sophomores, Lunden Fenster got the first goal from Alhagie Ceesay, and Nathan McKenzie scored the second goal, from Fenster.  Everett held on to the lead until just before half when Skagit would find the equalizer.  

With the two point lead in the standings, Skagit would be content with a draw to seal their playoff positioning.  Everett needing the win, began to push forward approaching the 70th minute mark.  That's when Skagit found a 1v1 opportunity on a break away transition to put the Cardinals back on top.  However, just five minutes later, Everett would earn a free kick from 30 yards out.  Freshman Abdala Hassini took the kick with his right foot, and bent it over the Cardinals wall and just inside the left post to tie the game at 3-3.  

Everett's offense continued to push forward with all they had to come out with the win in the final 15 minutes of play.  Several chances were just turned away, and another breakaway Skagit goal in the 90th minute would be the ultimate end to the season.  

For the first time in head coach Kieren Raney's five-year tenure the Trojans missed out on the playoffs.  Prior to this season, Everett had reached the post season and advanced to at least the quarterfinals in each of the past five seasons with trips to the final four in 2024 and 2022. Although the record and end result was not what the team wanted, it was still one of the most dynamic offenses, averaging 3 goals scored per game in the 14 official matches this season.  

Still, it was a season filled with grit and determination to overcome a slow start and fight back into playoff contention.  Everett recognized 10 sophomores, a tremendous feat for any NWAC program.  Domingo Gallegos recorded 13 career starts in goal; transfer defender Ilya Mohov made 7 starts this season; captain Brock Larsen was the mens soccer player of the year last year and has 25 career starts with two goals scored; Alhagie Ceesay has 17 career goals (6th all time at EvCC, and 5 assists; Nathan McKenzie served on the student athlete leadership council and scored 4 career goals with 2 assists; Lunden Fenster had 12 career assists (tied for 2nd most all time at EvCC) and 8 goals scored; Anthony Henry scored 6 career goals; defender Asios Corona made 18 career appearances with 5 starts; defender Aldo Calles made 28 career starts with a goal and two assists, and defender Lucas Siemering appeared in 28 careeer matches with 20 starts, scoring 2 goals with 2 assists.