The first match of the WWPL season did not end how Grays Harbor would have hoped, or felt they deserved. Although they created scoring chances, the Gulls were unable to capitalize in a 1-0 loss at Federal Way FC.
The match got off to a fiery start as Federal Way and Grays Harbor exchanged hard tackles. The first chance of the match came when a Federal Way player was tackled in the box, but the ensuing penalty kick struck the crossbar and was cleared away.
Grays Harbor’s best chance came late in the half when Alex Pugadelarosa made a run down the right side to the end line. He crossed the ball to Tony Oropeza in front of the net with the keeper out, but Oropeza’s shot went just over the cross bar.
The second half was just as even. The Gulls thought they had scored though, when Alex Pugadelarosa received a long, high, through ball. With the ball still bouncing and the keeper rushing toward him Pugadelarosa lifted a shot over the keeper from the edge of the area. The keeper just got the tip of his finger on the ball, slowing it down enough for a defender to clear the ball off the line.
Federal Way scored the winner midway through the half on a long run down the left flank and a tidy finish to the near post.
The Gulls searched for an equalizer, but their efforts continued to be put wide, most notably by Izzy Fernandez, whose right footed shot from the middle of the area was just wide of the post.
Keeper Alexis Garcia was named man of the match for his 8 saves, including 2 on short range free kicks, that kept the Gulls in the match.
Up next for the Gulls is a home match with BeSea FC from Bellevue, on Sunday May 5th at 3pm.