The last Saturday of the 2016 Evergreen Premier League season saw 9 goals scored over two matches as Spokane jumped into second place and Yakima gave Champions Vancovuer just their second loss of the season.
Spokane Shadow 2-1 South Sound Shock
SPOKANE, WA—(Shadow recap) Jared Davis gave the Shadow the initial lead with a great individual effort, beating a defender and scoring in the 23rd minute, but the visitors pulled even just before intermission. A long throw from JJ Schmeck found Joseph Cairel, who finished from the edge of the six.
Three minutes into the second half, however, Sam Joy ended a lengthy personal scoring drought to put the Shadow back on top, celebrating with a frenzy. Davis served the ball in to Brady Ulen, who was playing up top, Ulen then cut the ball back and fed it to Joy for the finish from the penalty spot.
The victory moves the Shadow to 9-4-1 for the season and into second place with a three point margin over Bellingham, which plays host to the Seattle Stars Sunday. The Hammers, 8-4-1, must win to pull even with Spokane and take second place via the head-to-head tiebreaker having swept the Shadow this season.
Scoring Summary
SPO: Jared Davis 23
SS: Joseph Cairel (JJ Schmeck) 44
SPO: Sam Joy (Brady Ulen) 48
Yakima United 5-1 Vancouver Victory
YAKIMA, WA— Five different Hoppers chipped in goals as Yakima United (4-8-2) delivered 2016 EPLWA Champions Vancouver Victory FC (10-2-2) their worst defeat in three seasons of league play.
Vancouver goalkeeper Zach Morris was red-carded in the 31st minute when he was judged to have fouled the Yakima attacker in the penalty area as the last defender. Dennis Stevenson, longtime Yakima defender who was playing his last match for the Hoppers, stepped up and converted the penalty kick to put YUFC up 1-0. It was Stevenson’s 5th goal of the season, a personal best.
The Victory hung around for a while before the Hoppers stretched out their defense and the scoreline. Andres Ruiz made it 2-0 in the 53rd. Ramon Ayala ensured a win making it 3-0 in the 65th.
There were three late goals, including Vancouver’s lone strike on a penatly kick conversion from Christo Michaelson in the 83rd minute that made it 3-1. It was Christo’s 5th goal of the year. Then the Hoppers blew it out with goals in the 85th on a penalty kick conversion by Hector Valdovinos and 90th (added time) on a goal from Jesus Salcedo.
Scoring Summary
YAK: Dennis Stevenson 31 (PK)
YAK: Ruiz 53
YAK: Ramon Ayala 65
VAN: Christo Michaelson 83 (PK)
YAK: Hector Valdovinos 85 (PK)
YAK: Jesus Salcedo 90+
Evergreen Premier League 