PTHS Soccer Roundup

Week of April 28, 2008

The Port Townsend Redskins (8-3-4 overall, 7-2-3 league) qualified for the West Central District soccer tournament by defeating the Sequim Wolves 1-0 in a hard fought match in Sequim on Saturday, May 3. The Redskins face the number one seed from the Nisqually League, Foster High School, at 3 p.m. Saturday May 10 at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma.

On Thursday, May 1 the team was home for Senior Night as nine Redskins competed in their last match at Memorial Field, easily defeating the North Mason Bulldogs 6-1.

"We looked strong on Senior Night,” said assistant coach John Nowak. “All of the seniors – Daniel Berg, Ross Bringgold, Ben Callaway, Ryan Charrier, Andy Danner, Will George, Jamie Hodgson, Rio Sabella and Mike Thielk – contributed to the victory.”

Eight minutes into the match Berg started the scoring, hitting a goal off an assist from Lockwood. Sam Selisch struck next on a bicycle kick that fooled the Bulldog goalkeeper. Bringgold provided the assist. North Mason closed the gap to 2-1 when Sebastion Gaspar hit a trickling ball past goalkeeper Jesse Yourish.

The Redskins put the game out of reach before the half was over by scoring two more goals. Lockwood hit the first just one minute after North Mason had scored. Bringgold had the assist. Those two players exchanged roles on the final goal as Bringgold took a through ball from Lockwood just before half and powered it by the goalkeeper.

In the second half the Redskins continued to dominate, scoring two more goals and having a goal waved off by a questionable referee call. Lockwood started the second half, scoring 14 minutes into the half by hitting a powerful shot off a quick turn from outside the 18. Sebastian Lyons contributed the assist.

Ten minutes later Berg used a flip throw to pass the ball onto the field. The ball appeared to hit off the keeper and roll in the goal but the referee waived the goal off. Berg got the final goal of the night with just three minutes to play. Selisch had the assist. Port Townsend outshot North Mason 23 to 8.

The second match of the week had the redskin facing Sequim. The Sequim contest determined the final representative to districts. It was “loser go home,” so both teams had plenty of motivation to play their best. Sequim was missing its career-leading scorer Kai Antrum.

Neither team gained the upper hand in a first-half defensive struggle. The Redskins were unable to get a shot off for the first 15 minutes of the half, but would eventually outshoot the Wolves 6 to 4 for the half.

Sequim came out aggressively in the second half, attacking with eight players, but the Redskins were able to withstand the charge. They finally scored on a counterattack when Daniel Berg hit the game winner in the 65th minute on a rebound off a miss.

"It is so satisfying to get the win and advance to the district tournament,” said Port Townsend coach Dean Short. “Our team has fought hard all year and deserves to move on."

The Redskins outshot the Wolves 13-9. Three Redskins – Sam Selisch, Ross Bringgold and Berg – received yellow cards in the very physical contest. “Alex Lockwood, Ross Bringgold and Ryan Charrier played very well for us,” said Short.

On Tuesday, April 29 the Redskins traveled to Foster to play the Bulldogs, but a scheduling snafu made the long trip wasted and no match was played. Foster dominated a scrimmage, but the Redskins played without four starters, including captains Bringgold and Sabella.

Port Townsend’s junior varsity closed its season with a 3-0 loss to Sequim on May 3. “Despite the score, we played a competitive match. We simply did not capitalize on our opportunities, said JV coach Sam Nowak. “But, we have made progress in bounds this season. I am very proud of my team; the future of the program is bright.”