BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Christian Segovia scored the equalizer in the 85th minute on a centering pass from JT Meyer and the Oly Town Artesians escaped Bellingham with a 1-1 draw in their Evergreen Premier League opener on Saturday afternoon. JJ Olson made ten saves in goal for the Artesians, and Bellingham United’s lone goal was scored on a penalty kick by Richard Henderson in the 60th minute.
It was a back and forth affair through the first 45 minutes but Olson held firm making three saves in the half. Bellingham’s Bryce Logan nearly matched him with a pair of saves and the two teams went back to their locker rooms scoreless despite plenty of opportunities.
Immediately to start the second half, Bellingham broke out and had one of their best chances less than 30 seconds into the half. The shot from the Hammers went just high, but the tone was set for what would follow for much of the second half. 15 minutes later, after Bellingham was awarded a corner kick following a save by Olson, the referees conferred and issued the Artesian goalkeeper a yellow card and gave the Hammers a penalty kick. Richard Henderson buried it and put United up 1-0 in the 60th minute.
Both teams picked up the pace after that but Bellingham succeeded in killing a good portion of the half without incident until an excellent build up that resulted in Meyer sending a pass into the box found Segovia, who made a couple of moves and fired one into the back of the net for the game tying goal with less than five minutes to play.
The final five minutes resulted in multiple shots and multiple corner kicks, but neither team could quite get the touch and the game ended in a 1-1 draw with a point coming home to Olympia for the Artesians.
Oly Town will face their first Coastal Division opponent next Sunday, a Mother’s Day Special, at Black Hills High School. Defending EPLWA champion Seattle Stars come to town for a 6:00 PM kick off. Tickets are just $8 for adults, $5 for kids 5-12 years old, military, and seniors, and all moms will get a flower before the game.