Everett, WA - The grueling non conference schedule came to an end over Labor Day Weekend with a disappointing loss to a strong Wenatchee Valley program, but the NWAC ranked #4 Trojans have their sights set much higher than an undefeated pre season. A total of 9 matches were played in the month of August, four in a five day period, and three times EvCC played on consecutive days. EvCC played against the University of Fraser Valley (Canada), Multnomah University, and Warner Pacific University in exhibition matches before opening up NWAC play against #3 ranked Highline. The Trojans knocked off the Thunderbirds 2-1, and went on to defeat Chemeketa, South Puget Sound, and Centralia College to improve the season record to 4-0.
EvCC then battled NCAA DII Seattle Pacific University a program that was picked to finish 3rd in the GNAC. Everett played a tough match, falling 2-1 before returning to Everett Memorial the next day to host Wenatchee Valley who received pre season votes for the NWAC Top 10 coaches poll. On tired legs the Trojans shook up the typical lineup but for the most part played solid through the first 20 minutes of the match. The Knights got on the board first in the 21st minute and struck again in the 33rd to go up 2-0. The next five minutes would see a flurry of action as freshman Aidan Raney (brother of head coach Kieren Raney) got Everett on the board. Jackson Baker won the ball away from a Wenatchee defender and then sent a brilliant cross to Aidan who put it away. Two minutes later Aidan struck again off a free kick just outside the box. He sent a right footed strike around a wall of Knights and past the keeper's outstretched hand to tie the game.
With only seven minutes until half, Everett fought desperately to keep the tie, but tired legs succumbed, and WVC scored two more first half goals to go up 4-2. Benny Mejia scored a late goal (his 3rd of the game) for Wenatchee to ice the game 5-2. Despite the loss, Everett will go into North Region play prepared for the gauntlet to come. North region opponents have a combined record of 19-3-2. Peninusla, Shoreline, Skagit Valley, and Whatcom are all undefeated at 3-0 and it will take a disciplined run through September and October to get out of the region in one of the three available playoff spots. The Trojans will open up region play on September 14th at Whatcom. Their first two matches will be on the road, before returning home on September 22nd to face Shoreline.