In a dramatic start, FC Olympia found the back of the net in the opening minutes to take a surprise lead, but Ballard FC responded and responded strong. Ballard FC put on an impressive performance at Memorial Stadium, cruising to a 5-1 victory over FC Olympia.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The match kicked off with an early setback as Olympia’s winger Chad Sovde ran down the line in the third minute and floated a cross to the back post to Connor Lofy, who headed the ball into the far corner. The early goal opened up the game fast, as Ballard looked to quickly level the score.
In the following minutes, Ballard created several chances, including a shot from Peter Kingston in the 5th minute that was saved at the near post. In the 9th minute, Richie Aman and Juan Alvarez combined well, but Aman’s shot was blocked by their defense. Ballard continued to dominate possession, with multiple set pieces and corners, while Olympia looked to absorb the pressure and hit back on the counter. It looked like only a matter of time before Ballard FC would find the net.
The equalizer came in the 25th minute when Juan Alvarez floated a deep cross to the back post. Austin Brummett rose above the Olympia defenders and headed it down to Khai Brisco, whoses volley smashed the back of the net. With the score now level at 1-1 Ballard’s energy remained high as they now searched for the go-ahead goal. Aman dribbled past a defender and fired a shot wide of the near post in the 32nd minute, and Kingston played Aman through for another shot that went narrowly wide.
Despite Olympia’s efforts to disrupt Ballard’s momentum with numerous physical challenges, one of which leading to a yellow, Ballard FC was able to take the lead just before halftime. In the 47th minute, Aman dribbled down the left side and cut a cross into the box, after a slight deflection, Brummett executed an improvisational volley into the side netting, giving Ballard a 2-1 lead at the break.
The second half saw Ballard continue their dominance. Aman forced a stretching save from Olympia’s keeper with a shot aimed at the top corner in the 47th minute. It was a sign of more to come.
In the 58th minute, Juan Alvarez found space in the middle of the field and slipped a through ball perfectly into Brummett, who ran onto it and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner for his second goal of the match.
Ballard’s relentless pressure paid off again in the 67th minute. Juan Alvarez drew a foul on the edge of the box for Peter Kingston to take. Kingston’s effort was deflected bak to him, and he passed to Demian Alvarez who poked the ball right under the diving Olympia keeper.
After the fourth goal, Ballard made a number of attacking changes that came on eager to get on the score sheet. Their impact was immediately felt as a low driven cross from Cruz into the box was deflected into the net by an Olympia defender, making the score 5-1.
In an unusual turn of events, backup goalkeeper Jackson Buck was brought on as a field player due to an injury. Players and fans cheered Buck on as he played up top, even attempting an acrobatic volley in the final moments. Ballard FC managed the final minutes to secure a comprehensive 5-1 victory.
FULLTIME: Ballard FC 5 – 1 FC Olympia
Starting XI: Lanphier, Hammond, Ketcham, D. Alvarez, Brisco, Sent, J. Alvarez, Kingston, Aman, Brummett, Gaffney
Subs: Mejia, Cruz, Holmes, Gourdie, Yriondo, Otero, Buck
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Khai Brisco was named player of the match as he captained the team and got his first Ballard FC goal on the night.
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the highlights here!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ballard FC will look to carry this momentum into our next match away against Midlakes United on June 28th. Following that we will return home Sunday, June 30th to play Capital FC Atletico at 6PM.