Season Starts Well

Our First game of the year was against GSL favorite University. They came out with a barrage of shots and despite Brandon Hale's two saves in the first five minutes University struck home in the 12th minute. The game was fought hard and told us what we really need to work on this week, but in the end University's precision passing and work ethic prevailed in a 2-0 loss for the Suns. Defenders Nick Johnson and Jesse Keen played extremely well. Brandon Hale finished with eight saves.

The following day we played Mt Spokane, this game was sure to tell us how mentally tough we were after losing 16 hours earlier. Southridge came out focused and moved the ball around much better, made a more concentrated effort to win the 50-50 balls and scored in the 41st minute. John Elliot Zoulek took a nice pass from Tanner Crass and beat the goalkeeper for the blue and gold's first goal of the season. Once again Brandon Hale played really well in goal but was unable to stop a blasted shot off a corner kick that tied the game at 1-1. That is where the score was at the end of regulation, and on to sudden death overtime the game went.
Head Coach Chip Elfering asked one thing of his players "show me how much heart you have and show me how much you want to win this game". Well show him they did. Two minutes into the first overtime Corey Grady sent a long throw in to John Elliot Zoulek which he promptly passed to Casper Bertheau who had to beat the keeper twice after his first shot bounced off the post and deflected back to him. Final score Southridge over Mt. Spokane 2-1.

We need to practice hard this week in preparation for our first league match against Hanford. Hanford drew a 1-1 tie with Richland in their only game so far this season.