Going into the match, Grays Harbor Gulls FC knew they had to replace two starting defenders. The resulting shuffle lead to uncertainty and eventually, a 5-1 loss to Tacoma Narrows.
Tacoma scored 4 goals in the first half, all on headers and 3 on set pieces, to take a 4-0 lead into halftime. The Gulls came close to scoring first however, but Alex Pugadelarosa's shot went just over the crossbar.
Two minutes into the second half, Tacoma scored a fifth goal on a one on one, but it was quickly answered by the Gulls. Juan Oropeza found Juanito Lopez who finished to the far post from the left side of the six yard area.
Despite conceding five goals, Gulls keeper Alexis Garcia played exceptionally well, saving several other attempts, including when a Gulls pass was blocked by the referee springing a Tacoma Narrows player in on goal one on one.
The Gulls got a good look at reserve and incoming defenders Anthony Churlin and Austin Ochoa, and Aberdeen High Schools Christian Sanchez, who played his first Gulls match.
The Gulls are at home next weekend, Saturday, May 25th at 7pm against WWPL rival Harbor Force in the first ever Washington State Super Cup match.