Salmon Bay FC Clinch Playoff Berth and win Northwest Division title with comeback 2-1 win over Snohomish United

Salmon Bay FC won their first NW Division title in club history Sunday afternoon, doing it in come-from-behind fashion in front of an electric crowd at Interbay Stadium.

Despite entering the match needing all three points and trailing early in the second half, an Ameera Hussen equalizer and late Ginny Lackey thunderbolt led the way to a historic victory.

The Coho finished their 2026 regular season with a record of 9-1-2 (W-L-D), undefeated in their final nine matches, and will host the Western Conference semifinals and final on July 3rd and 5th at Interbay stadium. Their Western Conference Semifinal match will be at 7pm on Friday, July 3rd against the Colorado Storm. Learn more and get playoff tickets!

After a frenetic match in Snohomish a week ago between the two sides, Sunday afternoon was a much more one-sided affair.

Aside from the first five minutes of the first and second half, Salmon Bay dominated the ball, the shot differential, and the pace of play throughout the match.

Right after kickoff the visitors controlled possession and kept Salmon Bay off the ball, but by the ten minute mark the Coho had settled in, clogging up the midfield and not allowing any kind of Snohomish breakout.

Much like in the reverse fixture, Salmon Bay’s best chances came off of set pieces. A 37th minute short corner routine sent in by Ui Kaaihue struck the far post on its way across before being cleared, and a 45th minute Anna Menti header required a big reaction save from Isabel Willems.

A few opportunities were put wide in a frustrating first half, the Coho went into the break outshooting Snohomish 11-1, forcing five saves out of Willems.

The second half is where the tension was finally broken, just 30 seconds into the half Snohomish broke ahead with a lovely 1-2 passing, springing Elora Franklin clean on net, where she dispatched just the second shot on goal of the game.

Salmon Bay had to dig themselves out of a hole, knowing that a draw wouldn’t be enough to clinch the title.

It was another set piece that got Salmon Bay FC on the board in 59th. Jourdyn Curran drew a foul on the right wing. Alicia Barker took the ensuing free kick quickly to Aliyah Dockter, who put the ball into the middle where Samiah Shell flicked it on to Ameera Hussen to finish at close range.

With the score levelled, Salmon Bay were able to go back to comfortable control of the match, with patient recycled possession as they pushed for a winner.

Despite near-constant pressure, the Coho were repeatedly denied by a myriad of saves, blocks, and shots off the woodwork.

A 67th-minute corner kick fell for second-half substitute Ginny Lackey, whose shot struck the joint of the post and the crossbar.

Lackey stayed dangerous, nutmegging a defender on the wing and delivering a ball into the middle towards Morgan Manalili, who’s shot was deflected out for a corner.

The ensuing corner was tipped at the near post by Rachel Reitz off the crossbar, falling right to the feet of Morgan Mananali. Mananlil’s side-footed effort was miraculously tipped right back onto the crossbar and cleared away.

The streak of bad luck would finally end in the 80th minute. Maya Loudd poked the ball loose at the edge of the attacking third, getting it to Hussen. Hussen found Kaaihue at the top of the box, who squared across for the left foot of Lackey. Lackey’s shot was struck sweetly and powerfully, curling into the side netting beyond a helpless goalkeeper and sending Interbay stadium into hysterics.

With 10 minutes left to defend a title, Salmon Bay comfortably held possession, allowing just a single long range shot on goal. Then the final whistle blew, and the fans rushed the field in celebration.

Two years of work paid off with a first division title, and first trip to the playoffs in Salmon Bay’s young history.

Match Facts:

Salmon Bay outshot Snohomish 11-1 in the first half, and 22-4 overall
Salmon Bay went undefeated over their final nine games, picking up three wins by a single goal
Salmon Bay ended the regular season as the best defense in the Northwest division, conceding 11 goals in 12 games, the only team to average less than one goal against
Ginny Lackey finished the season with a team-leading eight goals, one behind Samiah Shell for most goals all-time, and setting the new regular season mark with at least one more game to play
Samiah Shell extended her single-season record for total assists, collecting her 6th of the campaign on the equalizer

Scoring Recap:

46’ (SNO): Elora Franklin

59’ (SBFC): Ameera Hussen (5), assisted by Samiah Shell (6)

80’ (SBFC): Ginny Lackey (8), assisted by Ui Kaaihue (4)

Starting 11:
Elana Milam, Anna Menti, Samiah Shell, Aliyah Dockter, Alicia Barker, Maya Hindson, Rachel Reitz, Juju Barker, Ameera Hussen, Jourdyn Curran, Ui Kaaihue

Subs Used:

Maya Loudd, Morgan Manalili, Ginny Lackey

Written by Adam Race