Salmon Bay FC Suffer First Defeat against the West Seattle Rhodies

Salmon Bay FC’s first-ever defeat came at the hands of the West Seattle on Wednesday night as the Rhodies held on for a 1-0 win at Interbay Stadium.

The opening minutes were fast-paced, with both sides pressuring high and creating chances in transition. Salmon Bay almost opened the scoring early when Hallie Bergford broke through on goal, but the flag went up for offsides.

Moments later, Samiah Shell held up play on the left and laid it off for Anna Menti at the top of the box, who forced the first save of the night with a well-hit shot.

In the 11th minute, Salmon Bay was forced to make an early substitution after an injury to co-captain Ameera Hussen, who was replaced Kelsey Kwon.

The Rhodies looked to disrupt Salmon Bay’s rhythm by pressing high and pushing numbers forward quickly when winning the ball. In the 12th minute, they earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but the following shot didn’t challenge Milam, who made a comfortable save. A volley from inside the box two minutes later sailed wide, but the momentum was quickly mounting for the visitors.

In the 21st, Rhodies nearly struck first with a curling shot from distance that flew towards the far corner, but was ultimately denied by the post.

The pressure would broke through just two minutes later after a quick combination play inside the box led to a sharp near-post finish by West Seattle’s Hailey Still in the 23rd minute, the first goal scored against Salmon Bay FC all season.

Salmon Bay then looked to respond before the half as Shell continued to lead the charge for the home side with a dangerous cross in the 26th and a lofted shot that just missed the far post minutes later. But the Rhodies kept their high pressure and did enough to see out the half with the one goal lead.

At the break Salmon Bay FC made an attacking change with Amelia Severn coming on for Jillian McBride at right wing, and her impact on the game was immediate.

In the 51st minute, Severn cut inside and played a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Bergford who’s cross zipped across the face of goal, needing only the slightest touch, but no one could get there in time.

The chances kept piling up for Salmon Bay. In the 60th, Severn was at it again, clipping a dangerous ball to the back post. The ball found Kwon but she knew nothing about it as it bounced off her and into the arms of the keeper. A few minutes later, Ella Hatteberg stormed forward and played in Kelsey Kwon, whose shot was blocked in traffic.

The Rhodies looked to sit deep in the second half and only broke forward a few times. In the 72nd, Rhodies tested Milam again with a near-post shot, but she reacted quickly to push it out for a corner.

In the 76th minute, Shell made way for Sadie Sider-Echenberg and Juju Barker was replaced by Aliyah Dockter as Salmon Bay kept pressing for an equalizer.

Severn swung in a beautiful cross in the 80th minute that found Tabion in space, but the forward couldn’t get clean contact on the attempt.

Just a minute later, Sider-Echenberg cut back a cross to Tabion in space inside the box, but the first-time effort went wide.

In the 86th, a Salmon Bay free kick dropped to Severn at the top of the box. She hit it first time, but her volley rose over the bar.

In the final moments, Salmon Bay earned a corner in the 90th. Alicia Barker headed a rebound back toward goal but her effort was deflected wide. The Rhodies held on for dear life through the closing minutes of the match, but ultimately did just enough to see out the result and return home with all three points.

MATCH DETAILS

FULLTIME: Salmon Bay FC 0 – 1 West Seattle Rhodies FC

Starting XI: Milam, J. Barker, K. Dockter, A. Barker, Hatteberg, Menti, Tabion, Hussen, Shell, McBride, Bergford

Substitutes: Kwon, Severn, Sider-Echenberg, A. Dockter, Doherty, Seelhoff, Loudd, Hanson, Dickinson

WHAT’S NEXT?

Salmon Bay FC will look to bounce back this Sunday, June 22nd as they face off against FC Olympia at 2pm. Sunday’s match is a top of the table clash and a must-win in the playoff hunt. Join us this Sunday for our Pride match!

Get tickets to Sunday’s match!

Written by Rowan Rathbun