Salmon Bay FC Mark First Home Match with a Resounding Win

The first Salmon Bay FC home match was a smashing success as the club defeated Spokane Shadow SC 4-0.

This past Memorial Day marked the first-ever home match in Salmon Bay FC history. It was a day of firsts for the club as the first-ever goal and first-ever win were secured as well.

From kickoff, the hosts looked incredibly dangerous as they pushed for that opening goal. In the seventh minute, Hallie Bergford flashed the ball across the six yard box but the Spokane defender got to it first, narrowly beat Samiah Shell in a foot race. Thirty seconds later, Jillian McBride’s volley missed narrowly wide.

The home side continue to push, forcing two more saves from Spokane’s Kamryn Willoughby in the first 15 minutes. Eventually, the dam did finally break in the 16th minute.

McBride’s cross found Shell at the back post, and with her weak foot she volleyed it first-time into the far corner to score the first goal in club history. After being the first-ever signing in club history, Shell her etched her name further into the history books with this goal.

Over 1,000 fans erupted upon seeing the ball hit the back of the net and frantically began fighting for position to secure the Dick’s burgers thrown into the crowd for each goal.

After the opening goal, the visitors slowly started to build momentum to try again a foothold in the match. Delani Walker forced two saves from Elena Milam in just a matter of minutes as they pushed for equalizer.

Despite their efforts, it would be Salmon Bay FC who would score next. Minutes after subbing on, Chloe Seelhoff found Aliyah Dockter at the top of the box who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to gain a two goal advantage going into halftime.

After the break, Coach Arrant sent out an entirely different eleven for the second half, ensuring as many players as possible can get valuable minutes before the USL W League Home Opener on Friday.

Despite the changes, the home side continued to dominate the run of play and it would not take long for them to tack on another goal. In the 66th minute, Amelia Severn let it fly from distance and with the help of a deflection she was able to beat the goalkeeper as she went sprinting to the Tequila Zone to celebrate.

The second half was not all Salmon Bay however as goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson made a spectacular sprawling stop in the 74th minute to prevent the “Olimpico” attempt from a Spokane corner.

Ten minutes later, the fourth and final goal would come for the hosts. Milly Bray, the high school senior and youngest player on the Salmon Bay roster, was in the right spot at the right time to collect the rebound and finish into the top left corner.

Four goals from four different goalscorers marked a perfect start to life at Interbay Stadium for Salmon Bay FC as they will look to carry this momentum into their first league home match against the Tacoma Galaxy on Friday, May 30th.

Shell took home player of the match honors after her historic goal helped open the floodgates.

FULLTIME: Salmon Bay FC 4 – 0 Spokane Shadow SC

Starting XI: Milam, Hatteberg, K. Dockter, Hanson, Carroll, Menti, A. Dockter, Hussen, Shell, McBride, Bergford

Subs: Lamb, Seelhoff, Miller, Dickinson, Chang, Courtenay, Whalen, Kaaihue, Severn, A. Barker, Hanay, Bray

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Samiah Shell was named player of the match after scoring the first goal in club history.

Player of the Match Samiah Shell’s Post-Match Thoughts

WHAT’S NEXT?

Salmon Bay FC’s USL W League Home Opener is this Friday, May 30th against Tacoma Galaxy. The club will look to use Monday’s momentum to win their first league match. After that, Salmon Bay FC travel to Maple Valley to take on Bigfoot FC on Sunday, June 1st.

Tickets for our next home match are available here!