VANCOUVER, WA— The 2016 Evergreen Premier League season has completed the month of May and V2FC are at the top of the table after a 3-1 win over South Sound FC on May 28 before 170 fans at Harmony Sports Complex. Vancouver is now 4-0-0 with 12 standings points, 2 ahead of second place Spokane Shadow.
For the Victory it was a clean sweep of the Shock this season. Earlier the clubs met in Lakewood with Vancouver taking a 2-1 triumph. Going into the season V2FC had never beaten South Sound. Now they have a winning streak over the club that has finished one place ahead of them in the EPLWA table in 2014 and 2015.
“This was a huge step for us today,” General Manager Barrett Goddard said. “We played as well as we have all season, yet we still have room for some improvement. South Sound showed why they are a quality side and played us tough. It was a close game throughout. I’m proud of the guys for seeing the match out with a couple of goals at the end.”
MATCH PHOTOS: On V2FC Facebook by Nathan Goddard
The match was back and forth in the first half. Jesse Martin hit the post with a Vancouver shot in the 12th minute. Just 4 minutes later Christo Michaelson saved a ball off the line from a Shock shot. In the 33rd minute of play the Victory took the lead on a goal by Jesse Martin (assist to Alan Hernandez.) The half wasn’t over before a moment of controversy as V2FC appeared to get a second goal (by Alan Hernandez) only to see the score waved off for offsides.
Christo Michaelson.
In the late stages the scoreboard warmed up. South Sound drew level 1-1 when Eddie Na took on the Victory defense by himself and scored from 5 yards out in the 76th minute.
Vancouver did not take long to answer. In the 78th minute Christian Silva restored V2FC’s lead as 2-1 on an assist from Erick Urzua. Silva was thrilled to help the offense. “As a defender, you don’t get many chances to score usually,” he said after the match. “But I made my run and Erick (Urzua) put in a perfect ball to me. I’m just glad I put it away.”
In added time Borce Atanasov sealed the win with an unassisted goal to make the final 3-1 for Vancouver. Atanasov is back with Vancouver after a stint in Macedonia. He’s battled consistent ankle issues. “My ankle felt good today,” he revealed after the final whistle. “It was great to get some time in and I was happy to get the goal at the end. ”
Celebrating Silva’s winner.
Borce makes it 3-1.
Table updated through matches played May 28, 2016
| EVERGREEN PREMIER LEAGUE – 2016 | POINTS | PLAYED | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| VANCOUVER VICTORY | 12 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 |
| SPOKANE SHADOW | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 |
| SOUTH SOUND | 9 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 9 | +1 |
| BELLINGHAM UNITED | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 |
| OLYMPIC FORCE | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 11 | -3 |
| WENATCHEE FC | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 | -3 |
| SEATTLE STARS | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | -4 |
| YAKIMA UNITED | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 |
W= wins L=losses T=ties GF=goals for GA=goals against GD=goal differential
Ilya Zhividze jumps over a South Sound slide tackle.
