Artesians Go On the Defensive to Find Redemption in Bellingham

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Jake Zimmerman takes one away from the Bellingham keeper

BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Jake Zimmerman gathered a rebound off of the Bellingham United keeper and ran in a goal in the 34th minute and then parked the bus and held on for a 1-0 win over Bellingham United on Sunday afternoon. The win was redemption for a 3-1 loss one week earlier to the same United squad on Oly’s home turf, and the first outdoor soccer win in Artesians club history.

Coming off of a 3-1 win in Yakima on Saturday afternoon, Bellingham United (2-2-0, 6 points) were the aggressor early and often holding a whopping advantage in time of possession. But the Artesians’ (1-1-1, 4 points) defense, led by Olympia native Nate Boatright, stopped every challenge that the United offense threw at them. Goalkeeper JJ Olson made a plethora of saves, including a one handed save pushed over the bar on a Richard Henderson header from point blank, in the waning moments of the game.

The Artesians took advantage of their limited opportunities. Jamie Barnwell’s shot from distance ate up Bellingham keeper Bryce Logan and just trickled away from his body enough to allow Jake Zimmerman to pounce on it and poke it into the goal in the 34th minute. Forward Surf Wodajo had a handful of opportunities throughout the rest of the game, but with the 1-0 lead, learning from the week before when they also held a 1-0 lead at the half, the Artesians held back and played defense the rest of the game.

The win in Bellingham was the first win in club history over United. Before Sunday’s game, the Hammers were 7-0 over the Artesians in both indoor and outdoor play. The win moves the Artesians to an even 1-1-1 over their first three games with the Spokane Shadow coming to town after a pair of scoreless losses in on the Westside this weekend.

The Artesians will make their season debut on their home pitch at Wembley Field at The Evergreen State College on Sunday, May 21st. It is Chinqually Booters day at the Artesians. All Booters players get in free with a paying adult and will have the opportunity to accompany the teams onto the field during introductions. Pregame starts at 1:50, with the gates opening at 1:15, and first kick scheduled for 2:00 PM.