The first road match of 2026 for Ballard FC was a 90 minute battle, but the bridges prevailed for the second time this season over old foes FC Olympia.
Sunday’s win was not nearly as straightforward as the reverse fixture, a 3-0 Ballard win at Interbay stadium, but the result held true as the Ballard boys go to a perfect 3-0-0 start in 2026.
The opening minutes of the match saw an even flow of possession by both sides, with shots being blocked at either end and neither side taking a clear-cut advantage.
Despite missing their star attacker from 2025 Michael Divano, Olympia put pressure on the Ballard back line, forcing a saves out of goalkeeper Trevor Wilson in the 18th and 19th minute. These would be the first saves of Wilson’s Ballard FC debut start.
Wilson would once again be called into action in the 28th with a catch on a long attempt.
Ballard FC sent out a rotated starting lineup after playing to a hard-fought 2-0 win just two days ago against Midlakes United.
This new-look squad would take some time to find their footing, but got their break in the 42nd minute. A Christian Chel Lara shot struck a defender’s hand in the box following a corner, leading to a penalty kick that Elliot Spatz would convert just a few minutes later to open the scoring.
The score would hold going into the break, the visitors winning 1-0, but with everything still to play for in the second 45 minutes.
The second half started with Olympia pushing for an equalizer, and Ballard FC doing most of their work off the counter.
The hosts’ first big chance of the match came in the 52nd minute when Finn Reynolds was put behind the back-line by a through-ball, but his 1v1 effort came back off the post and was cleared.
Substitutions in the 60th minute by head coach Mutanda Kwesele would shift the momentum, and Ballard began to go on the attack.
One of those substitute editions was long-time Ballard FC player Luke Hammond. Hammond didn’t need long to make his impact, as in the 69th minute he received a ball from Elliot Spatz at the top of the box, and was able to turn and fire in the lead-doubler.
Ballard FC continued to push for extra insurance, but it would be Olympia that found the next tally, with a lovely side-volleyed effort from Cooper Schneider finding the back of the net to make it 2-1 in the 82nd minute.
A high-paced final ten minutes would end with Wilson falling on a dangerous ball at the top of the six in stoppage-time to secure the win and all three points for Ballard FC.
Beto Apolinar received Player of the Match honors after being the defensive anchor in midfield the full 90 minutes.
