Artesians breeze past Portland Blacktails FC, 17-6, as WISL returns to Olympia

Oly Town Artesians FC opened the year with a resounding 17-6 hammering of the lowly Portland Blacktails FC as Western Indoor Soccer League action returns home at the Evergreen State College Saturday night, January 14.

Hat tricks from Alec Zimmerman and Manny Nicasio, both Oly Town main personnel, and a solid display of defense from goalkeeper Isaiah Damschen, powered the Artesians in this big win which propelled Oly Town FC to second place halfway through this crucial WISL campaign. Alex Vogt, Jason Fairhurst, Asa Moncivias, and Sam Tafolla, all added two goals each.

In front of a packed and energetic crowd who have not seen their Artesians play competitive soccer at home since early November of last year, Oly Town FC started the goalfest less than 30 seconds after the opening whistle, with Vogt scoring one of his two goals from a direct free kick. Minutes later, Fairhurst scored from a corner set piece, while Alec Zimmerman added to the tally after dribbling past the opposing goalkeeper to make it 3-0 early in the opening salvo.

After that, it leaked goals for the Artesians as they opened the floodgates in the second quarter, confusing the distraught Portland defense. Two goals from Nicasio, another set piece goal from Fairhurst, a lovely left-footed strike from Kasey Sidor, and a goal from the halfway line from Jordan Zimmerman almost finished the game for Oly Town before the opposition brought one back to end the half at 8-1.

The Blacktails made it a game in the third quarter as they switched from the usual press on the sidelines in the first half to a press to counter approach, which worked as they sneaked three goals, but the Artesians kept composure and kept their commanding lead, thanks to a stingy defense, and goals from Brice Holiday, Al Zimmerman, and Tafolla to keep it at 11-4 Artesians lead.

Oly Town FC finished the game on a high with six goals in the final quarter, despite Portland not losing energy to press high and foul the Artesians. Zimmerman and Nicasio completed their hat tricks after goals from the buildup of play while Moncivias added two and Vogt and Tafolla added to complete the dismantling.

The Artesians will face a grudge match in the next fixture as the host Everett City FC, the only team to beat the Artesians, this Saturday, January 21, at the Evergreen State College, 6 p.m. kickoff, to regain the top spot in the league.