The Ballard boys are back and wasted no time returning to dominant form in the new campaign, defeating FC Olympia 3-0 in a comfortable affair in front of a sell-out crowd at Interbay Stadium. In a matchweek that has been defined by lopsided victories, Ballard FC ends the day in second place in the NW Division, behind only West Seattle Junction on goal-difference.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to stake their claim on the match, with a 5th minute whipped cross from Luke Hammond being headed home by newcomer Alex Notzka as the former Seattle University teammates connected for the early icebreaker.
Ballard would almost find their second just moments later in the 9th minute, when University of Washington (UW) star Zach Ramsey would pick up a loose ball at the top of the box and fire a left footed shot, only to be denied by a diving save from Olympia goalkeeper Niclas Becker.
Notzka was inches from an early brace in the 10th when a deflected shot sailed just over the crossbar.
The visitors wouldn’t put together their first attack until the 12th minute, winning their first corner kick of the match. The ensuing corner however, would not go at all to plan for the Artesians. An initial clearance from Anton Hjalmarsson found an onrushing Ramsey, who headed the ball past the last defender before finding himself one-on-one with Becker 15 yards outside of his penalty area. Ramsey would calmly round the keeper and roll in a lead-doubling coast-to-coast goal.
Olympia continued to throw numbers forward to try and recoup early losses, and while enjoying some attacking-half possession were finding themselves exposed by a number of incisive Ballard counter-attacks.
As the rain started to fall, FC Olympia forced the first action of the game from Ballard FC’s net-minder Stockton Short, claiming a cross from short range in the 26th minute.
Juan Alvarez attempted to add another Interbay Stadium “golazo” to his resume in the 27th, but his curling strike ended up narrowly wide.
The hosts would slide between the Olympia defensive line again in the 29th, with some lovely interplay leading to a Zach Ramsey shot skittering beyond the far post.
Ballard FC would put together a couple more half-chances before the referee blew for halftime with the scoreline at 2-0.
The second half would start similarly to the first. A 47th minute free kick from Ramsey sailed just inches over the wide-open head of Omar Grey for the period’s first action.
Olympia continued to battle, earning their second corner of the night in the 53rd, only for the ball to sail harmlessly into the mitts of Short.
Ballard FC would however look to put the game to bed early, as another well-located Alvarez cross in the 55th minute would fall to the feet of Ray Mendez, who’s shot took a heavy deflection but still bounced its way into the net for the third goal of the night.
Alvarez looked to add a goal alongside his assists with a lovely volleyed effort in the 57th, but the shot ended up right at Becker.
Ramsey sent a first-time effort high from 10 yards out in the 59th minute, and Ballard FC seemed bound to make it four with chance after chance to tally again, but eventually the pace would slow back down as the minutes ticked towards 90.
In the 65th minute, Ramsey collected his fourth quality opportunity at net as a shot from outside the box bended its way just wide of the top corner. The breakout collegiate star seems bound for a similarly successful summer season in North Seattle.
Both teams dipped into their bench players in the last 20 minutes of the match, but the on-field domination from the hosts would remain unchanged.
Olympia would eventually force the first save of the 2026 season out of Short, with the UW transfer stopping and holding a shot from 10 yards out in the 82nd minute.
Ballard created a handful of chances in the final ten minutes, but would settle for a 3-0 final in the end, and starting 2026 and the Mutanda Kwesele era with a bang.
Ramsey collected player of the match honors, after a full 90 minutes of dazzling movement on and-off the ball, numerous quality chances created, and the best goal of the night.
After the Whistle with Head Coach Mutanda Kwesele
“The guys are buzzing, the energy in here was great, it was a good start.”
Kwesele was positive but reserved post-match after his first win at the helm of the club he’s been with since 2024.
Kwesele talked confidently about the newcomers in attack for a squad largely made up of returners.
“I don’t think goals will be an issue as long as we do the right things in the build up.”
Christian Engmann led the line for Ballard as Interbay stadium has become so accustomed to, and Kwesele was quick to praise what a leader like Engmann can do for a team:
“As a coaching staff it’s nice because you have guys who can set the tone… guys who walk in and already command the respect of everybody else.”
Kwesele didn’t seem surprised at the dominant performance from Ramsey.
“(The performance) speaks for itself… he’s an important player for us and he was fantastic tonight.”
Closing thoughts from the skipper were to thank the Ballard faithful for another loud sell-out at Interbay.
“We’re so blessed to be able to be a part of this, I appreciate everyone who comes out. The players feel it, they feed off the energy.”
Watch the full interview below.
Match Notes
– Alex Notzka’s fifth minute tally was the quickest goal to start a season in Ballard FC history, as well as the quickest debut goal in club history, narrowly beating out current MLS Next talent Stas Korzeniowski’s sixth minute goal in the 2023 season-opener.
-Ballard has scored within the first 10 minutes of their season in four consecutive years (2023-6th minute, 2024-9th minute, 2025-7th minute, 2026-5th minute).
– Ballard has won all five of their home-openers since their inaugural match in 2022, which was also a 3-0 win over FC Olympia (then Oly Town) at Interbay.
-Ballard is 9-1-2 all-time against FC Olympia, the most wins and total games played against any opponent.
-Zach Ramsey has now scored in three consecutive games between USL League Two and NCAA play, having tallied in both the NCAA Semifinals and Finals for the University of Washington en-route to the Huskies 2025 national championship.
-Stockton Short became the fourth different keeper to begin the season as Ballard FC’s starter, following in the footsteps of Charlie Lanphier, Lars Helleren, and Akili Kasim.
-Friday marked the Ballard FC debut of four players: Anton Hjalmarsson, Alex Notzka, Joschi Schelb and Dunes Nielsen
-Mutanda Kwesele’s starting 11 featured two newcomers (Anton Hjalmarsson, Alex Notzka) and nine returners from 2025.
Starting Lineup: Stockton Short, Luke Hammond, Isaac Ketcham, Christian Engmann, Omar Grey, Sean Sent, Zach Ramsey, Juan Alvarez, Ray Mendez, Alex Notzka, Anton Hjalmarsson
Subs used: Joschi Schelb, Dunes Nielsen, Connor Tollan. Cameron Cruz, Andrew Myerson, Tanner Dutra
Scoring Recap:
- 5’: Scored by Alex Notzka (1), assisted by Luke Hammond (1)
- 12’: Scored by Zach Ramsey (1), assisted by Anton Hjalmarsson (1)
- 55’: Scored by Ray Mendez (1), assisted by Juan Alvarez (2)
Written by Adam Race
