Mt. Vernon, WA - A spot in the NWAC playoffs was on the line Saturday afternoon as Everett and Skagit Valley faced off in a thrilling match that ended with a 2-1, come-from-behind victory for the Trojans. The last match between these two teams was equally as intense coming right down to the wire. Back on September 23rd in Everett, the match ended in a 3-3 draw after Muhammed Darboe connected on a free kick in stoppage time just moments before the final whistle. The rematch between these two teams did not disappoint.
Both teams tested the keepers early, Skagit's Keenan Brennan making two saves in the opening 15 minutes of action and Avary Olson with a diving save stopping a certain goal in the 23rd minute. The home Cardinals finally got on the board in the 33rd minute when a ball was not cleared out of the box and one of the NWAC's top assists man, Lars de Groof found Kaito Kayasu who connected with a shot to the far post. The Trojans responded just moments before the halftime whistle after they earned their fifth corner kick of the half. Muhammed Darboe found the head of 6'3" Reid Schaeffer who put it away for his 9th goal of the season. Although the halftime score was tied, Everett appeared to be in control with 10 shots to Skagit Valley's 5.
The second half saw more Everett offense through the first 30 minutes but EvCC's 6 shots (two on frame) could not find the back of the net. It wasn't until the 78th minute when Reid Schaeffer returned the favor to Muhammed Darboe finding the sophomore for his 11th goal of the season which also happened to be enough for the game winner. Skagit Valley pressed in the closing moments desperate to find a game tying goal, but the Everett defense remained solid and held on to preserve the win, sending EvCC to the playoffs for the 6th consecutive season.
The Trojans have a bye in the final round of north region games happening Wednesday, October 25th and the outcomes will determine the fate of where Everett finishes. The Trojans could claim their first North region title since 1980 if Edmonds can upset Bellevue, and Skagit Valley can find a way to win or tie against Peninsula. However, a Bellevue win will slide EvCC down to second, and a Peninsula win bump the Trojans all the way down to third for what would also be the 6th straight season that the Trojans have finished third. Last season it worked out well for Everett in the third spot as they went on the road to defeat both Tacoma and Lane before falling to #1 ranked Columbia Basin in the semi finals.
Depending on the outcomes of this week's matches, Everett will either host a playoff game on Saturday November 4th (1st place north finish), Wednesday November 1st (2nd place north finish), or travel on November 1st (3rd place north finish) taking on the #2 finisher from the south region which looks to be either Lane CC or Portland CC. Exact game times, dates, and opponents for the NWAC playoffs will be announced Thursday morning.