Ballard FC’s perfect season came to end on Friday night as they dropped all three points after a stoppage time winner from Oly Town FC.
Friday’s match got off to a very quick start, with Oly Town FC’s Richy Lapointe-Guevara opening the scoring in the first minute of play. Oly Town was ready to go from kickoff and that goal marked the first goal conceded at home by Ballard FC all season.
Ballard FC looked a bit flat the first twenty minutes, acclimating to a new 4-4-2 setup without some key players in the lineup.
In the 27th minute, Oly Town would strike again, this time from a set piece. A half clearance inside the box was met first by the Artesian’s Gil De La Luz as he volleyed it home to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
Despite facing an early deficit, Ballard FC did not look like rolling over. In the 32nd minute, Leo Burney was dragged down in the box after he beat his man and a penalty was awarded. The penalty was calmly dispatched by Peter Kingston to pull it back to 2-1.
In the 44th minute, a reckless challenge on Danny Robles by Oly Town’s Federico Russo meant a second yellow card, forcing the Artesians to play a man short for the rest of the evening and giving Ballard FC momentum at the break.
At halftime, Jeremy Opong and Joe Dale subbed in for this home side. Opong would quickly make a difference and capitalize on the Ballard momentum.
In the 56th minute, Opong headed home a Taketo Onodera cross to equalize.
With the score tied and Oly Town down a man, Ballard seemed destined to grab a second-half winner as they did in booth matches last weekend. Unfortunately for the sold out Interbay crowd, it was Oly Town who found a stoppage time winner.
With most of the team upfront trying to find a winner, Ballard were susceptible to the counter. Oly’s Chris Peretti lead the break and beat everyone down the field to square the ball for Dante Perez who tapped it in for 3-2.
Ballard FC would get one more good chance before the match ended with Opong forcing a diving save from Charlie Lanphier. After the long stoppage time period, delayed by Oly celebrations, the match finally came to an end at 3-2.
Ballard FC remains eight points ahead of Oly Town and CFC Atletico at the top of the division standings, and will go again on Sunday against United PDX in Portland. Come down to Oregon Episcopal School to catch the 2:00 PM kickoff or watch live at the Reuben’s Brews Taproom. Stream details will be provided on matchday.
Ballard FC will be back at Interbay Stadium next Friday, June 30th at 7:00 PM to take on CFC Atletico. Ballard lost both matches ton CFC last season and will look to get revenge on Friday. Get your tickets now!
