87th Minute Goal Tops Bellevue

Everett, WA - The Trojans returned home eager to bounce back after a tough 1-0 road loss to Shoreline last weekend.  The visiting Bulldogs from Bellevue College started out the season hot winning their first three contests, but have been in a slump since north region play started, losing their first two and ending in a scoreless tie to Shoreline.  With both teams desperate to get back in the win column, the stage was set on a beautiful fall afternoon for an excellent contest.  

In the first half, Bellevue was by far the aggressor getting off 13 shots, one of which hit the cross bar, but in the end only forced Everett's goalkeeper Yartiza Pelayo to make 4 fairly routine saves.   While the Everett defense remained stout the offense was only able to muster 5 shots, 2 of which on target, and the halftime score remained locked at 0-0. 

Possession and offensive pressure evened out in the second half, but Bellevue still had a slight edge through much of 2nd half.  The Trojans survived a stretch where Bellevue got off three shots in the 66th, 67th and 69th minute but all sailed wide or high.  EvCC applied a little heat in the 80th minute when a shot by Lucy Soriano-Sanchez forced a Bellevue save, the 6th of the match.  There would not be a 7th save however when Teeghan Banfield sent a long pass from the right side of the field all the way across the field to Elizabeth Martinez who beat a Bellevue defender to the ball, made a move in space, and then finished for her 8th goal of the season to put the Trojans on top in the 87th minute of the match.  

The goal took the wind out of the Bulldogs, and Everett held strong in the closing minutes of the match to seal the win.  The Trojans move to 1-2-0 in north region play with an important match this Wednesday on the road against Whatcom. The Orcas are 1-1-1 and coming off of a 0-0 tie against Skagit Valley.  Match time is set for 5:00pm in Bellingham.