Bellevue, WA – June 10 – Sy Hoekstra
Another Dramatic Win, and a Tough Loss
Midlakes United 3, FC Olympia 2
Forty minutes into Friday’s home match against FC Olympia, you could have forgiven Midlakes fans for feeling dispirited. Despite an energetic effort by their team and superior possession numbers, Olympia had just scored twice against the run of play. Midfielder Diego Righi was the culprit both times. First, on a counter-attack in the 38th minute, and then a penalty kick following a trip well within the box by Midlakes defender Mikey Sherlock.
But the sudden multi-goal deficit did not phase Midlakes at all. In fact, it seemed to strengthen their resolve. They got right back to work causing trouble on Olympia’s end of the field. About 30 seconds into stoppage time, Second Captain Jack Ryan Jeremiah passed through to winger Jason Buezo who secured Midlakes’ first goal.
Jeremiah, playing at center midfield, received the Man of the Match nod for his consistent, game-changing playmaking. He spent the 75 or so minutes he was on the field repeatedly winning possession in the back third and carrying deep into Olympia territory. The scoresheet only has him with one assist, but everyone in attendance knows the crucial role he played everywhere on the pitch Friday night.
Which is why fans might have been confused when Head Coach Felix Vu substituted Jeremiah and midfielder Alex Bazia out with only about 15 minutes remaining. Bazia had also been a forceful presence for Midlakes all game, finding himself in the middle of the many chances Midlakes created in the second half. They dominated possession in the latter 45, with 17 shots on goal, and 7 on target. But at the time Jeremiah and Bazia walked off the field, Olympia was still up by one.
Coming on in their place were the Captain, Francisco Magaña, and the Ethiopian-born midfielder from Saint Mary’s College, Surafel Abebe, making his Midlakes debut. As it turned out, Vu had made a very good call.
In the 82nd minute, Magaña put a rebound that bounced his way in the back of the net. And then, in the 89th minute, with Midlakes fans wondering if the team would have to settle for just one point after such an impressive performance, a Lukas Shriner corner kick crossed Abebe’s path, and he fired it in to uproarious screams from the crowd.
Vu summed up well the feeling after this win, especially following the team’s previous gritty victory. “Really thrilled for the guys. Their character has been tested, both this game and the last game, and they passed with flying colors.”
Lane United FC 3, Midlakes United 1
The away game on Sunday afternoon in Eugene against Lane United was far less gratifying.
Midlakes started well, coming out aggressively on offense. They had a few shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, one by the Captain Francisco Magaña that hit the post. After the first of three goals by Lane’s midfielder Bautista Rossi-Molinas, Midlakes responded in kind. Midfielder Lukas Shriner got himself into a position to be one-on-one with the keeper, who dove to stop a fake-out shot. Shriner then dribbled around him for an easy goal. Shriner ended up with the Midlakes Man of the Match accolades for this move and his energetic play all match.
But the team’s play in the second half lacked the charisma from the first. As a result, Lane had shot after shot on goal. Keeper Fred Reiter, once again, performed admirably. The final scoreboard on-field said Lane had 17 SOG , and Reiter, 8 saves. He didn’t let a Lane attempt through in open play. The two goals in the half were an own goal by Midlakes center back Saco Konate, and a successful free kick following a foul just outside the box, also by Konate. On the other side, Midlakes did not create any significant danger in the final third after halftime. Their SOG total was six.
Fortunately, the team has a chance to bounce right back on Wednesday. And after their two gritty wins before this game, they’ve proven they have the resolve to put this one in the rear view and move on.
