Four different goalscorers got on the scoresheet while the Ballard backline kept a clean sheet to secure a 4-0 victory for Ballard FC over Bigfoot FC.
Goals from Michael Divano, Anton Hjalmarsson, Etienne Veillard, and Ray Mendez did the damage down in Maple Valley as Ballard FC came back with all three points.
The match opened with action at both ends as Ballard FC goalkeeper Trevor Wilson made multiple saves early in only his second start. However after the first ten minutes, the visitors bega to really assert their control onto the match.
Divano came close in the 12th minute as his header was on target but deflected out for a corner by the Bigfoot defender. Then he would open the scoring in the 26th minute.
A dizzying run from Divano from midfield ended with a venomous strike from the right corner of the box that nestled into the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 1-0.
Despite controlling the remainder of the first half, Ballard FC could not find a second and went into the halftime break with just the one goal lead.
It would not take long after the second half began for the visitors to double their advantage. In the 53rd minute Emmett Layman combined with Zach Ramsey who played in Hjalmarsson who used the outside of his right foot to beat the keeper score the second goal.
After the second goal came a wave of substitutions from Head Coach Mutanda Kwesele as Alex Villanueva, Luke Hammond, Beto Apolinar, Joe Highfield, Jack-Ryan Jeremiah, Mendez, and Veillard all entered the match.
The next two goals would be all about the super subs.
In the 81st minute Mendez found Highfield who got an assist on his Ballard FC debut by squaring the ball for Veillard who fired home to score the third goal.
The visitors were not done yet, as they got a final tally right before the final whistle as Jeremiah beat the defense and squared it for Mendez who tapped in the fourth and final goal.
Four goals and a clean sheet summed up a complete performance for the reigning division champions on the road. Now, all eyes head to Sunday where Ballard FC squares off with Snohomish United in a match that will decide the NW Division Championship.
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Scoring Recap
- 26’ (BFC): Michael Divano (1), assisted by Sean Sent
- 53’ (BFC): Anton Hjalmarsson (6), assisted by Zach Ramsey
- 81’ (BFC): Etienne Veillard (1), assisted by Joe Highfield
- 89’ (BFC): Ray Mendez (3), assisted by Jack-Ryan Jeremiah
Starting Lineup:
Trevor Wilson, Cameron Cruz, Isaac Ketcham, Andrew Myerson, Omar Grey, Cianole Nguepissi, Sean Sent, Zach Ramsey, Emmett Layman, Michael Divano, Anton Hjalmarsson
Subs Used:
Luke Hammond, Beto Apolinar, Joe Highfield, Jack-Ryan Jeremiah, Ray Mendez, Etienne Veillard, Alex Villanueva
Written by Max Dresbach
