EVERETT, WA – The Oly Town Artesians were on the road Saturday night to continue their Western Indoor Soccer League (WISL) campaign against Everett City FC. Both teams had a two week break from action due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The Artesians sat in third place going into the game behind South Sound FC (second) and the Tacoma Stars (first). Oly Town lost both times they came to Everett during the 2022-23 season including a come from behind Everett win in the WISL Semifinals.
Oly Town started Isaiah Damschen at goalkeeper with Manny Nicasio, Nigel El Sokkary, Jordan Zimmerman, Kasey Sidor and Nate Boatright all getting a first line nod from Head Coach Nick Boatright.
Everett and Oly matched up well in the first half seeing back and forth play and several key build ups that resulted in several defensive blocks and good saves from Everett and Oly Town keepers.
OIy Town would concede two goals in the first half but Gavin Mcleroy added a goal to head into halftime with a 1-2 score.
The second half was a different story with the Artesians blanking Everett City FC and getting two goals from Kasey Sidor and one from Nigel El Sokkary. Nigel was able to get his finish on a one versus one through ball from Manny Nicasio and Kasey saw both goals come from collecting rebounded attempts.
“The match was really competitive” said skipper Nick Boatright. “I think there were several momentum swings that changed things for us. Killing the penalty kick and then two power play kills were massive moments for us.”
Isaiah Damschen was blue carded on a post penalty kick foul which forced the Artesians to put backup keeper Colin Hauser on the field to face a second penalty kick. The Evergreen State College athlete (Hauser) came out victorious as he stopped the point blank shot and remained on for two minutes making multiple key saves. Damschen returned to the field as the pair completed a second half shutout.
Oly Town cruised to a 4-2 win and their first victory in Everett. Oly Town gained three points in the WISL table and sit squarely in 3rd place in the full playoff table and tied for first in the St Helens Division with Sound South FC.
Coach Nick Boatright on being asked who stood out in the match against Everett, “Gavin Mcleroy is a player we moved up to the midfield to see if he could generate some quality chances in the attack and he didn’t disappoint. Isaiah has been a monster in goal and I loved that Colin got to cover for him (blue card) and make a massive PK save.”
Oly Town returns home Saturday December 9th to take on the Vancouver Lightning. This the first WISL regular season match up between the two St Helens division foes. The two teams met in preseason for a friendly where the Artesians won 12-6.
Next Saturdays home match at the Evergreen State College Pavilion will be the last match in town for a month. The Artesians do not return to action until January 6th in Olympia.
Coach Nick Boatright had this to say about playing the final home game of 2023 in the pavilion:
“it means so much to us to play in front of our fans. I think it is a big reason why we feel so comfortable there. My hope is that we can give them another great game before the holiday break.”
December 9th the Oly Town Artesians will be inducting Collin Tate into the Oly Town Hall of Legends with his career goal record of 33 goals. Be sure to get your tickets today by clicking here.
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