Everett, WA - For the fourth straight season (omitting last season due to COVID-19) the EvCC men's soccer program has qualified for the NWAC playoffs, but it is the first time under a new head coach. In his first season as head coach, Kieren Raney has led a Trojan squad coming off of a an abbreviated spring 2021, 2-6-1 season to 9 overall wins, 7 of which in the north region, and most recently over 11-1 Whatcom who was ranked as the #7 community college (Division II) program in the country. The win puts the Trojans 7 points ahead of Skagit Valley in the standings, and with only two regular season games remaining, it is enough to secure the 3rd seed out of the north region.
Sunday afternoon's match presented weather conditions that bordered on winter storm warnings with a constant heavy rain, wind gusts of up to 20mph, and temperatures in the upper 40's. Regardless of the conditions both teams had plenty to play for. The Orca's sole loss on the season was to Peninsula, and if they finished their final two games of the season with wins, they could at least share in the North Region Title. The Trojans, had an opportunity to clinch a playoff birth with a win, and not leave it up to chance on the road at Skagit Valley.
With so much on the line, this game did not lack intensity from the opening whistle. Four minutes into the match, a ball was played forward by the Whatcom offense resulting in a collision with EvCC's starting goalkeeper Eric Ibanez that knocked him out for the rest of the game under precautionary measures. Fresh into the game sophomore goalkeeper, Jose Ramirez took the free kick and sent a deep ball that ricocheted forward from a Whatcom players head. A speeding Axel Rochel beat the keeper to the ball, made a nice play around him and then beat out another Whatcom defender to score in an empty net to put the Trojans up 1-0.
Two minutes later, a pivotal yellow card would be called on the NWAC's leading goal scorer Flavio Espinosa for simulation in an attempt to draw a foul and would later on be of significant importance to the outcome of the game. When it looked as though the Trojans had all the momentum, Whatcom's most dangerous player on the field Josh Wong connected on a brilliant strike from over 35 yards out to tie the game up with 15 minutes remaining in the half. Espinoza would get two more shots on frame, but both were saved by Ramirez and the halftime whistle sounded with the score even.
In the previous meeting with WCC, the Trojans found themselves at a man disadvantage when Leo Jaramillo was sent off for his second yellow just 30 minutes into the match and the scored tied at 0-0. Whatcom went on to score two goals with the man advantage and came away with the 2-0 win. This time around, Everett was the benefactor as Espinosa was sent off after his second yellow for simulation just two minutes into the second half. With Whatcom down a man, Everett capitalized 25 minutes later when a Leo Jaramillo long ball out of the defensive third once again found a streaking Axel Rochel who beat the keeper to the ball and chipped it with his left foot over an outstretched foot and just under the cross bar for his second goal of the match.
Five minutes later the rain and wind gusts picked up as if to signify the oncoming storm. Out of defensive transition, a ball was played forward to Nacho Pedrosa who carried it down to the top of the box and sent a nice pass to River Stewart who put it away for his 14th goal of the season. River now sits at 2nd most goals scored in a single season all time at EvCC with 14, and for Pedrosa it was his fifth assist of the year, which has him tied for first on the team, and 8 in his career as a Trojan.
At the final whistle, the Trojan faithful errupted in celebration of the 3-1 win and clinching of a playoff birth. Everett will be on the road for the remainder of this season, starting with the final two regular season matches traveling to Skagit Valley and Peninsula on Wednesday and Saturday this week. Then, first round of the playoffs start next Wednesday, November 3rd where the Trojans will likely play at Wenatchee Valley College, Blue Mountain Community College, or North Idaho College.