Ballard FC Opens 2025 Season with Commanding 3-0 Win Over FC Olympia

Ballard FC kicked off its 2025 USL League Two campaign with a confident 3-0 win over FC Olympia on Thursday evening. The away fixture, held at a packed Regional Athletic Complex buzzing with youth sports and music, became a stage for Ballard’s notoriously composed, attacking brand of football, drawing eyes from all corners of the facility.

Despite the overcast skies and a backdrop of noise from surrounding fields, Ballard FC came out focused and energetic. It didn’t take long for the visitors to set the tone. In just the 7th minute, captain Christian Engmann rose above the crowd to head home a perfectly delivered corner from Austin Brummett, opening the scoring with power and poise.

Ballard’s midfield and attack continued to connect well through the first half. In the 19th minute, Abeselom Zemenfes played a quick pass to Austin Brummett, who slotted a composed left-footed finish into the bottom right corner to double the lead. Brummett’s off-ball movement and vision continually challenged the Olympia back line, and even after dislocating two knuckles in a first-half collision, the forward played on after briefly stepping off to be set and taped by Ballard FC athletic trainer, Tiffany Mallick.

At the break, Ballard FC held a deserved 2-0 advantage.

The second half saw a flurry of creative attempts from Ballard, including several chances from Charlie Kosakoff, Ray Mendez, and Andre Philibbosian. FC Olympia ramped up pressure around the 70th minute, but Ballard’s defense remained composed, anchored by strong showings from Luke Hammond, Davis Mungomba, and Engmann.

Ballard made its first substitution in the 60th minute, with Ray Mendez replacing right winger Joe Dale, adding fresh legs to the attack. Shortly after, Olympia’s bench received a yellow card in the 63rd minute for dissent during a heated exchange near midfield. 

In the 70th minute, Ballard made a trio of substitutions: Connor Tollan replaced Abeselom Zemenfes, Cameron Cruz came on for Richie Aman, and Omar Grey subbed in for Khai Brisco, further refreshing the lineup amid Olympia’s increasing pressure. The fresh legs helped maintain Ballard’s pace and composure as Olympia pushed to get back into the match.

Cruz and Mendez immediately made an impact. A dangerous build-up in the 72nd minute featured a strong run from Mendez down the left, followed by a cross to Kosakoff and a deflected follow-up from Tollan.

In the 74th minute, Davis Mungomba received a yellow card for a tactical foul to halt an Olympia counterattack near midfield.

More substitutions followed in the 77th minute, when Isaac Ketcham replaced Luke Hammond, Tanner Dutra came on for Christian Engman, and Kaydin Wall stepped in for Charlie Kosakoff. Thus completing all seven allowed changes and underlining Ballard’s squad depth. 

Cruz continued to shine on the left wing and, in the 81st minute, fired in a driven cross that struck the hand of a trailing Olympia defender inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, awarding Ballard a penalty. Brummett stepped up and confidently buried his second of the night with a blistering shot to the middle-left of the net, completing a brace in his first match of the season.

Ballard’s back line and goalkeeper Charlie Lanphier preserved the clean sheet with critical interventions and calm distribution under pressure.

Player of the Match honors go to Austin Brummett, whose brace and gritty performance—even while carrying an injury—embodied Ballard FC’s competitive spirit.

With this decisive win in their season opener, Ballard FC sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting 2025 campaign.

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 3 – 0 FC Olympia

Starting XI: Lanphier, Hammond, C. Engmann, Mungomba, Brisco, Philibbosian, Zemenfes, Brummett, Aman, Dale, Kosakoff

Subs: Mendez, Cruz, Ketcham, Grey, Dutra, Tollan, Wall, N. Engmann, Short

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Austin Brummett was named player of the match as he was involved in all three goals, scoring two and assisting the opener.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Ballard FC will look to carry this momentum into the home opener against Bigfoot FC on May 23rd. Bigfoot also had a 3-0 opening match win, so the Ballard faithful should be primed for an exciting matchup at Interbay Stadium this Friday!

Tickets for our next home match are available here!