WestSound FC ends even with Bellingham on De Luna goal

SILVERDALE, WA — The question before Sunday’s match at Silverdale Stadium was “Is WestSound FC the bogey team for Bellingham United?” The answer that came after the match was a definite “yes.”

How else can it be explained that the top-running Hammers have only two blemishes on their 2014 record, and both have come against WestSound FC, a club that is struggling against everyone else?

The first blow struck by WestSound came in Bellingham when the Hammers dominated but WSFC snuck in a late goal for a 1-0 win. On Sunday it was more of the same, with home side goalkeeper Jordan Hadden frustrating Bellingham’s scoring chances.

Finally in the 70th minute Bailey Martin scored for Bellingham and it appeared that they might avenge the earlier loss. In the late stages though a goalkeeping blunder allowed WestSound’s Izzy De Luna to score the equalizer.

izzydeluna — Ismael (Izzy) De Luna (second from left) is used to scoring big goals. He scored twice when Olympic College upset Bellevue in NWAACC action. (Olympic College Olympian photo)

For goal-scorer De Luna it was a thrill to again make noise in local soccer circles. Izzy and his uncle Raul are near the same age and played together at North Kitsap High School. De Luna is also out of the WestSound FC youth system.

“He has a calmness on the field that, in a tight situation if we’re attacking or dropping back on defense, he’ll be the one that will take the ball down and make a nice pass to relieve the pressure or make a pass to one of our target guys to get us onto goals,” North Kitsap head coach Chris May said at the time. This time it was Izzy’s chance to be the scorer.

WestSound now has four points on the season, all against the Hammers. It was only their second goal in five matches, both coming against Bellingham, and both bringing points.

The Boys from Silverdale (1-3-1) will try to extend their prowess beyond playing Bellingham when they travel to Yakima on May 30th and Spokane on May 31st.

The Hammers (4-1-1) will try to shake off another disappointment when they take on a huge away weekend against contenders Vancouver (May 31) and South Sound (June 1) in back-to-back days.

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