Steelheads Men Take Down UPSL PNW Champs Seattle Lone Stars

**Starting 11 for 4.3.2022:** (*Back Row, L-R*) Tyler Sharp, Asa Goldsmith, Rory Cavaille, Andrew Escalante, Blake Camilleri, Glenn Paden. (*Front Row*) Ahmed Elsir, Devon Sutomo, Dorian Lair, Cristiano Whitaker, Karim Piottin.

SMOKEY POINT, WA—The Snohomish County FC Steelheads Men (2-0-0) got their second straight interleague victory on Sunday night April 3 when they doubled up Seattle Lone Stars FC 4-2 at Dick Cardinal Stadium. Seattle won the 2021 Fall season title in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) Pacific Northwest Conference. Last week the Fish beat Bellevue Athletic 3-1.

Karim Piottin got his first Steelheads goal in the 11th minute (see graphic) to give Snohomish County an early lead. He converted a corner kick from Andrew Escalante.

Daniel Amador, playing with a cast on a wrist he broke during the indoor season, scored in the 29th minute on a quick shot that surprised Seattle. A throw-in from Escalante was chipped on by Glenn Paden to Amador who made no mistake with his shot.

Head Coach Daghan “Dagi” Kesim instructs his players. The Steelheads outscored UPSL teams 7-3 in winning back-to-back interleague matches March 27 and April 3.

Here Comes The Rain Again

It was 2-0 at halftime and then the rain started falling. Play got a bit ragged and the Steelheads defense let in a couple of goals that goalkeeper Dorian Lair called “sloppy,” and which he took the blame for.

It was 2-1 when Piottin fed Tyler Sharp a through ball down the left side. Tyler gathered the pass, juked the goalkeeper, and rolled one in to make it 3-1. It was Sharp’s second goal of the season.

It was 3-2 in the late going when Glenn Paden stole a ball at midfield and raced into the Seattle box. He was pulled down and a yellow card and penalty kick were awarded. Paden converted the shot himself for his second goal of the season. The goal stood as the last in a 4-2 Snohomish County win.

Kesim Keeps Looking At New Players

Steelheads Head Coach Daghan “Dagi” Kesim continues to look at new players as the Fish prepare for league play. “I am just happy to look at new players and play some of our reserve guys,” he says. “Meanwhile we still looked organized and got the result. UPSL teams are full of talent. It’s a pleasure to face them.”

Next Match Away In Olympia

Having swept two UPSL clubs aside the Fish will travel to Olympia to tackle USL Two side Oly Town Artesians on Saturday April 16 at 3 PM at Black Hills High School.