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JOSHUA DUBE (EDGCOMB PHOTO)

OLYMPIA, WA – Oly Town traveled to the town of Snohomish, Washington last Saturday in Week 10 Western Indoor Soccer League play. The last meeting in Olympia had a large second half showing from the Artesians and subsequent win. The Snohomish Steelheads have been middle of the pack for most of the 2022-23 season meanwhile the Artesians gracing the top two spots since the start of league play. Oly Town skipper Nick Boatright helming one of the most successful arena campaigns in club history.

The Artesians jumped out to an early commanding two-goal lead seeing Mitchell Balmer and Rainier Schlekewey find the back of the net. Isaiah Damschen starting in goal blanked Snohomish for the entire first period with some amazing reaction, deflection saves and a few finger tip, diving stops. The Artesian defense also saw some hard nose blocks from Josh Dube and Schlekewey as Snohomish had several attempts on goal but many not finding their way due to Artesian defensive positioning.

Oly Town would go into half with a 4-1 lead as Steelhead Andrew Escalante was able to get Snohomish on the board midway through the second period.

Loud eruptions came from the upper deck for four Artesian second half goals with over 40 fans making the trek to Snohomish, many from Oly’s Jason Fairhurst’s family and friends to celebrate his record setting performance in a previous match. Oly Town goals were met with huge “Oly, Oly, Oly” chants ringing around the Snohomish Sports Dome making the away game very much feel like a “home” environment.

Damschen and the defense continued to thwart the Steelhead offense only giving up one goal in the second half to Snohomish veteran Bryan Fakkema. Countless attacks either ended in well timed defensive blocks or big paw-like saves from Isaiah Damschen. The two goals against stat will go down as one of the best goalkeeping and defensive showings in Oly Town Arena history.

FEB 4 LEGEND INDUCTION

The win puts Oly Town squarely into second place in the WISL table behind Major Arena Soccer League second team the Tacoma Stars Reserves.

The two clubs meet for the first time this Saturday, February 4th in a showdown at the Pavilion at Evergreen State College. 6PM is the slated kickoff time and will feature Oly Legend Willie Spurr who will be inducted to the Oly Town Hall of Legends. Spurr set many records for Oly Town including 30 career goals and 14 single season goals between 2014-2018. The records stood for years and in 2023 were starting to be challenged and some records broken. Willie Spurr would go on to play professional arena soccer for the Ontario Fury (now Empire Strykers) and Tacoma Stars.

Oly Town also will welcome the South Mason Youth Soccer families, OlyDog serving hot food along with Well 80 and Dancing Goats Coffee serving up an array of beverages.

Tickets are on-sale at www.olytownfc.com and follow the Artesians on social media for daily updates and announcements on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@olytownfc.com).

You can also subscribe to our articles by clicking the word press icon on the side and down below to “Follow Oly Town FC” and get up to date information on the clubs arena and USL teams including Artesian youth camps.

Match Statistics:

Isaiah Damschen (60 minutes, 2 GA)

Joe Sammartino (2 Goals, 1 Assist)

Mitchell Balmer (2 Goals)

Manny Nicasio (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

Alec Zimmerman (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

Rainier Schlekewey (1 Goal)

Kasey Sidor (1 Goal)

Alex Vogt (1 Assist)

Photo Gallery by Jordan Edgcomb

Please visit www.facebook.com/jdanphoto/photos for more of his amazing work!

Reminder to visit our sponsor partners and find a way to donate or have your business sponsor the Artesians. Tickets and local sponsorships are the only way Oly Town keeps the lights on so please take the time to learn about ways to support your local soccer club!

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Fairhurst (C-Sharp Images)

OLYMPIA, WA – The Oly Town Artesians cruised to a 13-6 victory over the visiting Everett City FC Saturday night in what would become a milestone night for the local professional-amateur soccer club.

Jason Fairhurst, Saint Martin’s University graduate and native of Snohomish matched Everett’s total scoring line of 6 goals breaking the Artesian club record for most goals scored in a game. Fairhurst is in his third year playing for Oly Town’s arena team and also rostered every game for the 2022 USL League Two Artesian squad.

“It felt pretty unbelievable” said Oly Town forward Jason Fairhurst. “It just felt like all my shots were dropping and I was just in the right place at the right time. It felt like I was in a flow state. Both of these records aren’t ones you can reach on your own and being able to break them is a testament to the squad we’ve brought together this year.”

“Jason is such an important player for us” said Head Coach Nick Boatright. “He was very special tonight and it is fitting that he broke the single game record because he is that caliber of player. I have always liked his ability to turn, his ‘one v one’ ability and his scrappiness.”

Fairhurst surpasses Oly Legends Willie Spurr and Matt Stalnik’s single game records which was set at 4 goals. Unique in all this is that Stalnik taking on a larger goalkeeper role this season held Everett to only 6 goals and watched Fairhurst break his record while sharing the same field for 60 minutes.

“Jason crushing mine and Willie’s single game goal record is well deserved” said Stalnik. “I have teased him for two seasons and I know it meant a lot to him to achieve it. Glad to be apart of the celebration.”

Manny Nicasio (C-Sharp Images)

Another standout performance was Manny Nicasio scoring 4 goals with 3 assists for the Artesians and would not be overshadowed by Fairhurst’s record breaking night.

“I’m really glad we beat them. I didn’t get to play against them (Everett) the first time due to a rib injury and I felt like I could’ve helped the team out” said Manny Nicasio. “Today it felt great contributing to the teams win.”

“Nicasio has been outstanding and he has the quickness to score goals on man down situations too” said Nick Boatright.

Another standout but defensive performance was from Oly Legend and Captain Nate Boatright meanwhile picking up his 13th assist of the season.

“Nate’s indoor knowledge and composure on the ball is incredible” said his brother and Coach Nick Boatright. “He is a great captain and all the guys have a lot of respect for him.”

Oly Town adds three points and picks up their sixth win of the 2022-23 Western Indoor Soccer League season. The Artesians head to Snohomish on January 28th to take on the Steelheads after an early season victory at home in their first meeting.

The next home match is February 4th at the Evergreen State College and will feature pro-arena player and former Artesian Willie Spurr and his induction into the Oly Legends Hall. Head to www.olytownfc.com for your tickets and get ready for autographs and a crucial home game against MASL second team, the Tacoma Stars Reserves.

1.21.23 Photo Gallery by Courtney Sharp & C-Sharp Images:

Follow Oly Town FC on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for live, daily updates.

WISL Standings 1.21.23

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OLYMPIA, WA — The Artesians scored 13 on their way to an exhibition win against Bellevue last Saturday at the Pavilion at Evergreen. The crowd was standing room only as the community gathered to honor local soccer legend Jason Dunn.

Oly Town returns home next Saturday to resume Western Indoor Soccer League play with the Portland Blacktails visiting. 6PM kickoff and tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Photos by Gloria Towne and All Around Towne Photography: