Manny Nicasio scores five as Oly Town continues WISL domination at home

It’s a new year for arena soccer in Olympia. Still, it seems like it’s the same dominant Oly Town FC rampaging the league as they return after the holiday break, delivering another whooping, this time at the expense of a rebuilding Snohomish County FC, 14-3, as they remain unbeaten at home in the 2023-24 Western Indoor Soccer League at the Evergreen State Pavilion last Saturday night.

Manny Nicasio, who has been of stellar form in recent games and stood as captain for this game, showed his standout level of ability again as the Evergreen State alum led the scoring for the Artesians with five goals in his name, propelling him as the second-best goal scorer of the league so far after a total of 11 scored in just four games played.

Kasey Sidor added to the goalscoring party after leaving a hat trick of his own, while three other Artesians scored a brace each to completely dominate the league minnows Steelheads.

“I just made it my goal to just keep playing and try to become better day by day, and then I’ll be surprised that I think I can score.” said Nicasio on his drive and motivation on the field. “It feels good to be with a bunch of guys, that want to play and want to be competitive.”

Oly Town FC huddles in a technical timeout.

It was pure domination for Oly Town from the start as they tried to weave past a stingy Snohomish County, which, to their credit, tried to double-team every Artesian ball handler in the first few minutes of the match while Oly Town shook off the rust of inactivity in their first competitive game in more than a month.

But all nerves were cooled down as the hosts, in front of a standing-room Evergreen State Pav, opened the goalscoring party five minutes in as Kainoa Wong’s parried attempt from the halfway line was rebounded by Adrian Fong to make it 1-0.

A minute after, Manny Nicasio worked wonders in goal as he scored two goals in 20 seconds of playing time, with his first goal coming from an inswing right-footed shot from an inside cut from the left flank and the second almost a mirror of the first one, but this time with his left-foot on the right flank to make it 3-0 at barely six minutes of action. The first period ended at 4-0, with Fong adding to his tally in the final minute.

Manny Nicasio, donning the captain's armband, scored five goals against Snohomish County FC. His league total so far is at 11.

It’s a different second quarter in the match as Snohomish tried to win one goal back with their physical antics and quick counters on the few opportunities to which they were handed the ball, leading to some heroics in the Artesian defense led by starting goalkeeper Isaiah Damschen. Kasey Sidor and Jesus Flores scored their first goals of the match in this quarter, while Dorian Lair pulled one back for the visitors after a powerplay to make it 6-1 at halftime.

A change of tactics and player rotation at the halftime break was the nail in the coffin as the Artesians scored five unanswered goals in the third period, with goals from a Manny Nicasio tap-in from a powerplay, a quick brace by TR Jewitt scored in between a minute, and another double for Sidor to complete his hat trick as the Steelheads were gassed out in the defending they have to do against these intense Oly Town engines, 11-1.

Despite the large lead approaching the final quarter, Oly Town still did not hold back on their onslaught as Nicasio completed his five-goal performance from a well-taken outside shot and a rebound from a goalkeeping mistake. At the same time, Jesus Flores added another one from a free kick. Substitute goalkeeper JJ Olson, who came in after halftime, also conceded twice but it doesn’t matter when the final whistle score is at 14-3.

This win extends the insane winning streak of Oly Town at their home fortress in the Icebox, which is now approaching two years already, while they also jump to second in the league, tying with Bellingham United with 15 points, just the latter leading on goal difference.

Oly Town FC's arena soccer players engage with fans after the match.

The Artesians will travel to Tacoma for the next game as they will face a big test from league newcomers and St. Helens division rivals South Sound FC, who also have good form with 15 points in 7 games played. Kickoff will be on Saturday, January 13, at the Tacoma Soccer Center at 6 p.m.

Updated WISL standings show Oly Town at 2nd in a four-way tie at the top with 15 points.