Injury Plagued Trojans Battle Tough

Everett, WA - Under first year head coach, Nicole Nsa the Trojans have already had to rally under a mantra of battling through adversity.  The adversity coming in the form of injuries where a solid EvCC roster of 20 to start the year has shrank over the course of two weeks to at one point in the match versus Tacoma, only 10 healthy players could take the field.  As if injuries were not enough to overcome in a normal season, the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 has had a continued impact on the season.  The first game of the NWAC Friendlies, originally scheduled against Clackamas CC, was cancelled when Clackamas had to withdraw due to COVID-19 protocols.  Despite the setbacks to start the season, Everett started the 2021 campaign against NWAC powerhouse Spokane, and showed what this team could be capable of playing to a 0-0 draw up until stoppage time in the first half when the Bigfoot finally got one past the defense.  

Everett continued to play strong until injuries and fatigue set in late in the match, and Spokane was able to come up with 2 more goals in the final 10 minutes to ice the game at 3-0.  The preseason schedule was not doing the Trojans any favors when EvCC would have 5 days rest before facing another NWAC power in Tacoma, a program that adanced to the Final Four in 2019.   Despite being down two regular starters in Cassidy Gamble and Amalia Ocampo, Everett played strong in the first 14 minutes of the match, and even controlled possesion for a good portion of that time.  Tacoma got on the board in the 15th minute after a cross just got over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Yaritza Pelayo and found the foot of a Tacoma forward for the easy tap in goal.  

As the half surged on, Everett withstood a steady attack from Tacoma which included 7 shots on goal, 6 of them saved by Pelayo.  The injury bug continued to hit Everett as more players needed subbed out, eventually leading to Everett finishing the half with just 10 players on the field.  After the halftime break some of the injured Everett players were cleared to return to action but Tacoma quickly extended the lead to 2-0 after a rebounded shot was not cleared.   For the next 30 minutes, Everett held strong but as with the Spokane match, late game fatigue led to mistakes which turned into goals for the opposition, and EvCC eventually fell 4-0.

First year Nicole Nsa felt optimistic after the game stating that despite the 4-0 loss, there was much improvement in the attacking third in this match when compared to the first match, and more opportunities to score.  There will not be much opportunity for rest and recovery as the Trojans will be back at it again on Friday against 2-1 North Idaho College.  Kick off is set for 1:30pm at Kasch Park.