Playoffs In the Picture With Win Over Skagit

Everett, WA - The post season hopes were kept alive on Wednesday afternoon when the Trojans defeated #10 ranked Skagit Valley on sophomore day.  It was a must win game for the Trojans, as the victory elevates them to third in the north region standings, one point ahead of Whatcom and two points ahead of Shoreline, all three teams vying for the final playoff spot available.    

Everett and Skagit Valley were deadlocked at 0 through the first 45 minutes, both teams getting off just two shots on goal in a cleanly played game resulting in only 5 total fouls. 

The second half showed much of the same, though as the intensity started to pick up, so did the foul count. At about 30 minutes into the second half Paige Runcorn sent a ball across a crowded box.  The ball found its way across to the far post where it deflected off the post and there to tap it in was freshman Gadi Zesati who scored her second goal of the season.  The final 15 minutes had some tension filled moments, the Cardinals getting off three more shots that would require saves made by sophomore goalkeeper Yaritza Pelayo and the Trojans nearly celebrated twice when Elizabeth Martinez and Amy Gonzalez Rios both hit shots that bounced off the goal posts. 

In the end the whistle would sound with the Trojans on top 1-0.  Yaritza Peleyo had one of her best games of her career coming up with the 7 saves and recording the shutout, the fifth of her career.  At 85 total saves she has the 4th most all time at EvCC in a career and sits just 7 saves behind the third place spot. 

Sophomores recognized were Yaritza Pelayo, Vanessa Perez, Amy Gonzalez-Rios, Teeghan Banfield, Giovannah Occhialini, and Cassidy Gamble. 

Everett can clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016 with a win on Saturday.  They'll face a Bellevue team that despite their 1-6-2 record has not quit on the season, and came away with a 3-1 win over Shoreline earlier this week.  Kick off is set for 12pm.