Sunday was a beautiful day to begin the 2019 Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA) season for the Vancouver Victory FC at Harmony Sports Complex. The Victory faced the Spokane Shadow who beat defending EPLWA champions Washington Premier 1-0 on Saturday. That result let coach Biniam Afenegus know that the 2019 Shadow were going to be good but also left him encouraged that they might be tired having played a close game the day prior. Sunday’s 1-1 tie proved him correct on both fronts.
The Victory led at halftime after a goal by Skyview senior and current Washington Timbers youth player Caden Beck. Beck came off the bench to knock in the one touch finish after a threatening cross from Jorge Rojas (Warner Pacific). The Victory held the lead until midway through the 2nd half when the Shadow got on the board with a perfectly placed free kick from just outside the box.
The goal came just in time for the Shadow as the game shifted for the remaining 20 minutes towards their end. The wear from their previous day’s game coupled with the Victory’s desire to get 3 points provided a succession of chances for the Victory. Despite the late pressure the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
In addition to Beck, other standouts for the Victory were Vancouver, WA native Peter Prescott (University of Pittsburgh) who captained the defense at the center back spot and Elias Soto (Warner Pacific/Stockholm, Sweden) who provided a constant threat at forward.
The Victory now head into their bye week with a better understanding of who they are and where they need to get to in order to compete for the 2019 EPLWA Championship. They travel to Starfire Sports Complex on May 18th to face new EPLWA member PAC NW on May 18th before returning home to take on the Oly-Pen Force 5pm Sunday May 19th at Harmony Sports Complex.
Comprised of current, former, and aspiring college players, the Vancouver Victory represents the highest level of soccer available in SW Washington. Tickets are $6 each with kids 12 & under Free. https://www.vancouvervictoryfc.com/tickets/
