SMOKEY POINT, WA—The Snohomish County FC Steelheads Men scored three goals in the final 22 minutes of play on Sunday night March 27 at Dick Cardinal Stadium to take a 3-1 opening outdoor season win over United Premier Soccer League side Bellevue Athletic.
Under The Lights
The 7 PM kickoff time made it the first-ever match played under the lights at the long-time home of the Fish at Lakewood High School in Smokey Point. Bellevue Athletic, a new team joining the UPSL Spring 2022 season, came ready to compete. They had much of the early possession. Eventually they went up 1-0 in the 24th minute on a goal from Nathaniel Lindley.
Three In Scoring Spree
It wasn’t until 44 minutes later that the Fish had a reply. (A first half header goal was flagged for offside.) It was Ahmed Elsir who headed home a corner kick from Andrew Escalante to tie the match at 1-1 in the 68th minute. Just moments later the Fish were pressing and Blake Camilleri found Tyler Sharp, who beat the Bellevue Athletic defense and lofted a looping shot that went over the charging goalkeeper and into the back of the goal in the 70th. The Fish secured the friendly win when Glenn Paden (who scored multiple goals for the WISL Indoor Fish) got his first outdoor goal in a SnoCo FC kit as he connected on a corner kick from Jeremy Maldonado in the 82nd minute.
Just Getting Started
The Steelheads showed the rust of the offseason and the challenges of adjusting to new players and new positions. Head Coach Dagi Kesim liked much of what he saw and knows what the team still needs to work on. “We are trying to replace some really good players from previous seasons,” Kesim says. “John Troka and Carlos Rodriguez are out with injuries, and Rio Alcorta and Jared Davis have moved on to new cities.”
Reinforcements
Still, new players have arrived that in time can keep the Fish up to their competitive tradition. “I thought the Steelhead of the Match on defense was Asa Goldsmith,” Dagi says. “On Offense it was Tyler Sharp.” Goldsmith is a centerback who played previously with the Everett Jets in the EPLWA. Sharp is a returning midfielder who keeps getting better —and quicker—with his offensive thrusts.
Seattle Lone Star FC Next
The Steelheads will host another UPSL side on Sunday night April 3 at 7 PM under the lights at Dick Cardinal Stadium when the high-scoring club Seattle Lone Star FC visit Smokey Point. Lone Star were the winners of the Fall UPSL PNW Division season and advanced to the national playoffs.
The Steelheads suited 18 players for the match: Danny Amador, Blake Camilleri, Rory Cavaille, Ahmed Elsir, Andrew Escalante, Drew Ferris, Asa Goldsmith, Dorian Lair, Jeremy Maldonado, Glenn Paden, Garret Robinson, Tyler Sharp, Gunnar Stohl, Devin Sutomo, Parker Van Driel, Ernesto Ventura, Cristiano Whitaker, Cesar Zavalza.
Match Photo Gallery HERE.
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