Evergreen Men Fall Short in Hard-Fought Season Opener

8/21/2008 9:30:11 AM

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Evergreen will head into this Saturday's game with the experience of Thursday's difficult loss and a taste of physical, college play for the younger team members. After a 2-1 loss to the University of Great Falls (Mont.) the team will undoubtedly look at ways to better execute so many close opportunities.

While the Geoducks had their moments of offensive attacks, the Argos of Great Falls used physical play to slow down the momentum of any threatening offensive charge. Tallying 18 fouls in the game to Evergreen's seven, UGF took the lead in making sure the game went its way. The intensity of game play wasn't limited to just one team however. Three yellow cards were given to each team during the match.

The Argos opened up the scoring just before the thirteen minute mark of the game. Following a shot by Chris Worthen (Bonney Lake, Wash.) that rebounded off an Evergreen defender, Ivan Valencia (Long Beach, Calif.) scored the first of his two game goals from 10 yards out.

Both Evergreen and Great Falls traded attacks through most of the second half of the game with excellent defense on both teams deflecting any threats. Credit both keepers, Zach Johnson (Casper, Wyo.) and Matt Stalnik (Sr. Kasilof, Alaska) for doing a great job covering their respective turf. While both were credited with two saves each, the statistics do not show their talent in clearing balls heading to their vicinity.

Eighty minutes into the game, senior and '07 lESC leading scorer Shawn Farrow (Lakewood, Wash. Clover Park HS) put the next game goal into the Argos' net after a nice cross from newcomer Corey Johnson (Fr. Longview, Wash. Mark Morris HS).

Valencia scored his second and game-winning goal six minutes later on an unassisted score that resulted from a hard kick that rebounded of Stalnik and rolled clear. Valencia had a clean shot from 15 yards out.

Saturday, Evergreen will play a 2 p.m. game with North Idaho College at home.

Box Score