Bellevue, WA (May 15, 2025 by Sy Hoekstra)
Midlakes United 6, Bellevue Athletic 1
Last Thursday was the Eastside Classic, the match-up between the two teams who call the Bellevue College soccer fields their home turf—Midlakes and the United Premier Soccer League’s Bellevue Athletic. It was the second of Midlakes’ two pre-season friendlies, in which Midlakes has now cumulatively outscored the opposition 10-1.
By the eighth minute, it was 2-0 Midlakes. Both Seattle University forward Alex Notzka and Gonzaga midfielder Alex Bazia scored, the latter assisted by right back Josh Hardin from the University of Akron. By the end of the first half, Bazia had secured a brace and Notzka had the first hat trick in Midlakes history! Hardin also assisted the last of Notzka’s three.
Hardin wasn’t the only defender making a splash on Thursday night. Daytona State College’s Tommaso Casadei was crucial on the back line, leading the defensive unit in wrangling control when play entered the back third. The Italian-born center back also skillfully anchored several of the team’s successful drives into Athletic territory. And the midfield dominated possession throughout the game.
Just as in the first friendly, the second half of the game saw much less scoring. The additional Midlakes goal started as a shot from University of South Florida forward Michael Luande, but glanced off an Athletic defender before finding the net. The lone Athletic score similarly counted as an own goal.
The team will try to ride the momentum and excitement of these friendlies into league play this week.
