The Trojans entered Saturday's match against Whatcom with a 2-0 record in North Region play, and a share of 1st place in the standings with NWAC powerhouse Peninsula College. It would take a well played game against Whatcom, a team that swept the Trojans in all three meetings last season.
Everett was out to prove that 2019 would not be a repeat of last season and the Trojans got on the board early in the 9th minute. Olivia Lee took a corner kick that sailed over seemingly everyone but found Peyton Nolte on the other side of the penalty box. Nolte put the ball back in to the far post finding Elizabeth Erickson for a header, and her 4th goal on the season.
After the Trojan goal Whatcom applied steady pressure with three straight shots, two of which were on goal but saved by sophomore goalkeeper Emma Allison. Then in the 20th minute, Olivia Lee attempted a pass inside the penalty box that met the arm of an Orca defender setting up a penalty kick. Freshman, leading goal scorer for Everett, Emily Marriott was selected to take the kick, and already one for one on the season on PK's. Her strike found the back of the net to send the Trojans up 2-0.
Everett would go on to hold the lead through halftime and well into the 2nd half. It was not until the 85th minute that Whatcom's Alana Sullivan found the net off of a beautiful free kick that found the far post.
The Trojans entered stoppage time with the 2 to 1 lead and appeared to only need to defend one more set piece to secure the victory. The Orcas had other plans and once again Alana Sullivan was involved, sending a free kick to the far post that found Jayden Nguyen's head for the equalizing goal.
The final minutes ticked off the clock and the game ended in the 2-2 draw. Heartbreaking as it was to concede two goals in five minutes, the Trojans came out of the match with a positive result. The one point earned from the draw puts Everett at 7 points in the standings, two ahead of Whatcom and two behind Peninsula for sole possesion of 2nd place.
Everett will play next Wednesday on the road at Skagit Valley College, a team that also played Whatcom to a 2-2 draw. The Cardinals are coming off of a 3-1 win over Shoreline CC, and are 1-1-1 in North Region play.