Three Game Recap

On 4/8 we played undefeated and first place Walla Walla. Not only was this a huge league game but revenge was on our minds a bit. Last year we got upset by Walla Walla in the first round of the playoffs and it's been a defeat we've had to live with all year. The Blue Devils are a very organized team with an ODP regional team keeper so you know it's going to be a tight match. 30 mph winds didn't allow us to play the type of game we wanted but it did help Senior leader Brandon Hale to get an extra 10-15 yards on his already booming punts. Brandon was so excited to get his first career assist in the previous game that he decided to do it again. He sent Jake Zoulek on a run after releasing a 75 yard punt and with WA-Hi's keeper caught in no mans land Jake calmly chipped it in for his team/league leading 10th goal of the year. That goal would stand up as the only one of the game as Hale collected his third shutout of the season and his 19th career clean sheet.

Saturday 4/10 would wrap up our four games in one week marathon with one loss Wenatchee coming to town. Unfortunately our boys showed up to play 10 minutes too late and that was enough time for Wenatchee to score two goals and hang on for the win. Once again Brandon Hale played well between the sticks and kept the match from getting out of hand. Chip pointed out that guys who came in off the bench played with heart and hustle and that made a big difference in the game. Way to go Taylor Barnes, Tyler Morgan and Pat Russell. Also senior John Zoulek continues to work hard and play great.

Last night saw our first rivalry match of the season as we took on the Kennewick Lions. Kennewick has more heart then most teams and never gives up. They also have one of the league leading goal scorers in forward Paul Martinez, first team all conference favorite midfielder Mike Chavez, a defender who is one of the most dangerous set piece takers in the league, left footed Merced Rodriguez who has scored three goals this year and a very talented goalkeeper Jared Gower. So as you can see this team is dangerous all across the field and both teams have been looking forward to this game all season. Since head coach Chip Elfering took over the program the Suns have a 4-1 record against the Lions with the only loss coming in a shoot out four years ago.

The game started off pretty uneventful as both teams were getting a feel for one another, there were some half chances for both sides until the 10th minute. Jake Zoulek recieved a through ball from Jarad Brisbin and was in on goal but two Kennewick defenders were tugging him back and Jake tried to muscle a shot through but hit it right at Gower. It's a little frustrating because a penalty kick should have been called but due to Zouleks strength he doesn't go down and doesn't get the call. Probably any other forward in the league (except our own Bill Landefeld) would have gone down with the slightest touch, got a pk and a sending off for the fouling defender. It wasn't until the 22nd minute when substitute Chandler Mertens made an immediate impact with a cross to the far post that Adolfo Garcia did well to chest trap and slot home the opening goal. That goal was the only one of the first half and the Suns knew that Kennewick would come out strong in the second half and would need to weather the storm . We felt like the first 10 minutes would be crucial, if we could repel their challenges we would be able to get some good opportunities later on and put the game away. It only took eight minutes after the restart and defender Zach Russell took off down the sideline and the Lions had no choice but to foul him in a dangerous area. This was our first real dangerous free kick we got in the game and after watching Kennewick squander a lot of first half opportunities from similar positions we wanted to make this one count. Javi Gamez took the free kick and Brisbin settled the ball at his feet, beat a defender (abused might be a better word) and dispatched the keeper for his career high ninth goal of the campaign. Gamez took his team/league leading assist total to six for the year. For the second time this year Brandon Hale got a well earned shutout stolen from him due to the referees decision to award a penalty kick to the opposition in the final two minutes of the game. Final score 2-1 Suns.

Fun facts: As mentioned before Adolfo Garcia scored his first career goal against Kennewick, last year Zach Russell got his first ever goal in the same match up. The funny connection is that both Southridge players call Kennewick goalkeeper Jared Gower their own keeper for their 3 Rivers club team. I'm sure no trash talking goes on there. Also, I told you that Brandon Hale has had two shutouts taken off the board against him due to last minute penalty kicks. Whose to blame for the fouls in the 18 yard box? Well against Sunnyside it was Brandon himself who got called for the foul, even though it was a beautiful one on one save that in no way, shape or form should have been called a foul. And last night Brandon had his little brother Keaton to thank for the penalty kick being called. Even though once again this was a phantom foul as it was right in front of our bench and we had a clear view of the play. At least in both cases the pk's didn't hurt us and Brandon will be the first to tell you that wins are the most important thing to him.