Athletics Geoducks Lose Opener in Double Overtime
August 21, 2003
by Kevin Mac Evergreen State College Sports Information
OLYMPIA, Wa - A moderate crowd of fifty-eight spectators, umbrellas in hand to shield them from 85-degree heat, were on hand Thursday for the season opener between Evergreen State College men's soccer team and the visiting Westminster College Griffins. Their dedication to the game was rewarded with not just ninety-minutes of regulation play but two additional overtime periods. In the end Westminster (1-0) left the field victorious, having beat Evergreen (0-1) 2-1.
The Griffins dominate play in first half, spending a large portion of the forty-five minute period in Geoduck territory. However, the first goal was scored by Evergreen. Junior college transfer Joe Gjertsen (Tacoma, Wash./Wilson H.S.), younger brother of last years leading scoring Jason Gjertsen (Tacoma, Wash./Wilson H.S.), drilled a rocket from 35-yards out to give the Geoducks a 1-0 lead with less than ten minutes to play in the first half.
Less than four minutes later Evergreen lost the momentum, when Westminster forward Brady Smith steamed down the right sideline and answered with a power shot from 15-yards out. At halftime the scored stood tied at one all. Action in the second half was as intense as the first. Both coaches, Tom Boatright (Evergreen) and Chris Dorich (Westminster), strategically substituting to keep their players fresh in the heat. But once again the majority of the shots were taken by the Griffins. In all Westminster tallied 11 shots in the second half, to Evergreen's none.
"Tommy (Kneeshaw) was fabulous in the goal," said coach Boatright.
In 116 minutes of action Kneeshaw (Eatonville, Wash. /Eatonville H.S.) recorded twelve saves.
"Luc (Arthur) also have a very good performance," added Boatright. "He played very smart and turned away Westminster's attacks time and time again."
The first overtime period netted nothing for either team and it looked like the second ten-minute overtime period would end the same way. That was until freshman midfielder Justin Solmon stepped up to take a free kick 55-yards out, from the left side.
"The ball seemed to take for ever getting into the box," said Westminster forward Xadier Gonzalez, the player that scored the game winning goal. "I just waited on it, then headed it towards the goal. I was surprised that no one was marking me."
The 'Golden Goal', the shot that brought the game to an end, a victory for Westminster, a loss for Evergreen, came after 116 minutes and 12 seconds of play.
Evergreen will be in action again on Saturday (Aug. 23rd) in the 2004 Alumni game. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.