Salmon Bay FC Defeat Tacoma Galaxy in Home Opener

Salmon Bay FC’s USL W League Home Opener was a resounding success as the club got their first league win in front of a sold out crowd of over 1,500 fans.

Friday, May 30th marked the first league home match in Salmon Bay FC history, and it would be a day of firsts for the club. The first-ever league goal and first-ever league win were secured as well.

From the opening kickoff, the hosts dominated possession and would continue to control the flow of the match for nearly the full 90 minutes.

The first thirty minutes were highlighted by a number of big chances for Salmon Bay FC, as the home side hit the crossbar numerous times. The opener almost came from a disastrous back pass that skipped past Tacoma goalkeeper Malie Chamberland, but she got back in the nick of time to clear it off the line right on the half hour mark.

But it wouldn’t stay scoreless for long. A goal line scramble led to an incidental handball from a Tacoma defender and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Salmon Bay striker, Hallie Bergford, stepped up without hesitation and calmly rifled the ball into the top corner to score the first-ever league goal in club history.

After the opening goal, the hosts kept their foot on the gas as they aimed for a second goal, but Chamberland stood on her head to deny them and keep the halftime score at 1-0.

Without Chamberland in net, the halftime show went perfectly as for the first time in organization history, the Reuben’s Brews “shot of a lifetime” was successful as ball kid Amelie Hill knocked down the single can of “Up The Bridges” pale ale to win a “year of beer” (for her parents).

The second half started and it was more of the same with Salmon Bay FC controlling the gameplay but unable to score a second.

Second half substitutes Kelsey Kwon, Jillian McBride, Ui Kaaihue, Kaya Hanson, Carly Whalen, and Amelia Severn provided a much needed boost of fresh legs to help the home side stay on the front foot.

Despite not scoring a second, the match never felt in danger as the Salmon Bay press and defense was smothering and prevented the Galaxy from having a single shot on target.

The match finished 1-0 and roaring applause echoed at the final whistle. With this result, Salmon Bay FC are now tied with West Seattle Rhodies for second place in the division as both clubs trail the defending division champions, FC Olympia, who are a perfect 2-0 so far.

FULLTIME: Salmon Bay FC 1 – 0 Tacoma Galaxy

Starting XI: Milam, Lamb, Dutra, Venkat, Hatteberg, Menti, A. Dockter, Hussen, Shell, Seelhoff, Bergford

Subs: Kwon, McBride, Kaaihue, Hanson, Whalen, Severn, Bray, Carroll, Dickinson

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Hallie Bergford was named player of the match for scoring the first league goal in club history.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Salmon Bay FC hits the road again tomorrow Sunday, June 1st to take on Bigfoot FC in Maple Valley. They will be on the road again nine days later to play Lane United FC on June 10th. Then they will finally return home on Saturday, June 14th as they will host Lane United in the first match of the Flag Day doubleheader At 3pm with Ballard FC kicking off at 7:00.

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