The Hoppers are in the victory column after a 2-1 win over the Force. (Tracie Fowler)
YAKIMA, WA — (Yakima Herald report) Luis Martinez and William Pineda netted second half goals to lift the Yakima United men to their first win of the season in a 2-1 defeat of Olympic Force on a warm Saturday evening at Marquette Stadium.
The Hoppers (1-5-2) fell behind early on when Olympic’s Miles Nilsen buried a rocket from outside of the box past Yakima goalkeeper Jacob Rhodes in the 17th minute. The Force created several chances following the goal including a Nilsen volley one minute later, but Rhodes and the defense were up to the task and kept the Force from finding the back of the net for the rest of the match.
Martinez leveled the match in the 51st minute after curling a shot off the post and past the Force keeper. The winner came nearly a half hour later in the 78th minute when Antonio Ruiz controlled a loose ball in the box and slipped it to Pineda for the game winner.
Yakima will now travel to South Sound FC today with kickoff set for 4 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium in Tacoma.
First half: 1, Olympic, Miles Nilsen, 17:00.
Second half: 2, Yakima, Luis Martinez, 51:00; 3, Yakima, William Pineda (Antonio Ruiz), 78:00.
Saves: David Mehberg (O) 2, Jacob Rhodes (Y) 2.
