Steelheads get level late in Wenatchee

WENATCHEE, WA— The Snohomish County Steelheads opened their 2019 preseason with a trip over the mountains to play Wenatchee SC at the Apple Bowl. The home side scored early and the Steelheads scored late in what ended up as a 1-1 draw.

The faster start belonged to Wenatchee SC and they broke through in just the 4th minute of the match when a looping cross from the right found Omar Mendoza wide open in front of the Snohomish goal. His tap-in was beyond the reach of goalkeeper Steven Moseley (see video here.)

article-steel-17 — SnoCo FC’s starting 11 were… (Back Row) Karim Hanafy, Gunnar Stohl, Rio Alcorta, Steven Moseley, Kyle Aure. (Front Row) Agustin Domingo, Alex Villasenor, Lennin Gary, Chris Mitalas, Cade Cooke and Carlos Rodriguez.

The Steelheads played catch-up the rest of the way. A difficult first half in which it looked more likely that Wenatchee would get a second before the Fish got a first was followed by an improved second half performance.

article-steel-54 — Cade Cooke (Kamiak HS, Everett CC) was named Steelheads Man of the Match.

The SnoCo FC defense tightened and managed to keep skilled midfielder Adrian Espinoza to just a few flashy middle of the pitch runs. Over at the other end the Steelheads were organizing and looking more dangerous. In the final 15 minutes Snohomish had multiple chances from close range, many set up by the long-range throw-ins of SnoCo FC Man of the Match Cade Cooke.

Kevin Baron had an unmarked header go wide. Then later the Steelheads finally got even. Much later. The 89th minute to be exact. Just when it seemed that the chances would all be denied, defender Gunnar Stohl calmly placed a shot past Wenatchee goalkeeper Mauricio Sanchez to make it 1-1. The play began as another long Cooke throw-in. Wenatchee cleared, but only to Stohl, who made the opportunity count.

The Steelheads were more likely to get a winner, but Andrew Escalante’s close range header hit the side netting moments before the final whistle.

article-steel-25 — Andrew Escalante (Lakewood HS, Everett CC.)

Steelheads Head Coach Dagi Kesim exchanges scarves with Wenatchee SC’s Eugen Capusan.

After the match Wenatchee SC owner and Head Coach Eugen Capusan hosted both clubs in a Taco feed. The Steelheads next match is the club’s 2019 home opener at Dick Cardinal Stadium. The Fish host TriCities Alliance FC of the Evergreen Premier League at 3 PM on Saturday April 13.

See a Steelheads at Wenatchee match photo album on our Facebook page.

Steelheads Partner goalWA.net has photos of the historic first-ever Wenatchee SC game from a home club angle.