B.U.F.C. Bulletin

Hammering it Between the Sticks

Force rough up United 3-2

It was another rough day for Bellingham United FC as they hosted Olympic Force Saturday, June 28. United’s assistant coach Brad Swanson, who took the coaching role in today’s match, was not pleased with the results as United fell to the Force 3-2.

“It was a very hard loss,” Swanson said. “We deserved better from today’s game.”

Both teams came off the pitch playing extremely physical. In the 15’ there was a scuffle between the teams that resulted in a red card for United’s Brendan Quilici, Force’s Brodie Steigerwald, and a yellow card for United’s Nick Cashmere.

United took the lead in the 35’ as Kurtis Peterson received the ball in the middle of the box, drawing off the Force’s keeper, and then passed it to Tyler Bjork who scored on the empty net.

United’s goalkeeper Felix Cruz had a fantastic half in net, recording multiple saves including a few magnificent diving stops to hold the lead 1-0 as the whistle blew for halftime.

In the 53’ Uche Ugwoaba was fouled in the box resulting in a penalty kick for United. Nick Cashmere lined up for the kick and smashed it into the bottom right corner, threading the ball between the keeper and post to put the United up 2-0.

The match seemed to be in the hands of United, as they held possession of the ball for most of the playing time, until around the 60’ when things began to go sideways.

The Force was able to get on the board in the 61’ as Steve Prevost headed the ball on goal, catching Cruz off guard and the ball flew past him for the goal.

In the 76’ the Force was able to knot up the match 2-2 when Roland Demombynes struck a bullet past Cruz into the net from the middle of the box.

United began to press for the late, go-ahead goal and were successful as they were able to create multiple opportunities. However, late in the match, Nick Cashmere was called for a questionable foul that resulted in his second yellow card and a game ejection.

As United pushed for the lead down a player, the Force was able to get downfield with numbers and Demombynes netted his second goal of the match with only four minutes to play.

United didn’t give up as they pressed even harder in the final minutes and generated a few late goal-scoring opportunities. A few United players fell to the turf in disbelief as the final whistle blew, solidifying a tough 3-2 loss.

United will get back to the pitch Saturday, July 11, at 1 p.m. as they go on the road to face the South Sound FC at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood, Wash. Make sure to keep up with United on their Facebook page for live updates.

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