In a crucial final match week for the semifinal seeding on the 2022-23 Western Indoor Soccer League, Oly Town Artesians FC succumbed to the undefeated and #1 seed Tacoma Stars Reserves in a 5-3 rubber match last March 4 at Tacoma, wrapping up the Artesian’s best season in men’s arena soccer with a comfortable 3rd place with an 8-2-2 win-loss-draw record.
Despite clinching a semifinal berth for the first time ever in men’s arena soccer, Oly Town was so close to getting the #2 seed and thus, hosting the semifinal, as Everett City FC pummeled league minnows Olympic Pen Force in the other fixture in the expense of Oly Town. Despite this, the Artesians were still thankful for this successful season, especially to the Oly Town faithful, that drew a huge away crowd at Tacoma despite the 30-minute drive from home.
“I feel thankful,” said Head Coach Nick Boatright. “Thankful for the support that I have gotten from fans, ownership and of course the players who are very talented, but more importantly committed to learning and doing what it takes to be a good team.”
In last night’s final regular season match, two goals from Jason Fairhurst and a consolation from Kasey Sidor, with all goals scored in the second half, sealed the Artesians’ season on the bag. Goalkeeper Matt Stalnik made 29 saves as he led the defense in holding a usually high-scoring Tacoma to only 5 goals, the same as the reverse fixture at home two weeks ago.
Similar to the home game wherein Oly Town and Tacoma settled with a 5-5 draw, it was a tense start for both teams as it ended 0-0 in the first quarter, before Tacoma proved that their standing was no fluke, as they opened the scoring with two goals from league top scorer Isidro Prado-Huerta to make it 2-0 at halftime.
Oly Town held on their ground despite being 3-0 down early in the third, with Fairhurst scoring his first and added with Sidor’s to make it close at 3-2 at the end of the third, before struggling to end at a high note, losing 5-3 at the final whistle.
Despite the loss, head coach Nick Boatright, in his rookie coaching season in the club, caps off the best arena season in club history with a record winning percentage of eight wins, two losses and two draws, while fielding the first-ever undefeated home team in Artesian history, and some his players setting numerous club records 19 single season goals by Jason Fairhurst including the single match record racking up six goals against Everett in January, and Josh Dube at 58 career appearances.
Speaking of which, Oly Town has announced the induction of Josh Dube into the Oly Hall of Legends. Starting his seven-year Oly Town career in 2016, Dube has been a pivotal defensive player through the years and is active in the soccer community with youth soccer at Tumwater Soccer Club and also helped pioneer the Artesians through transitioning years with covid shutdown, multiple coaching staffs and ownership changes. Dube’s induction date will be scheduled at a later date.
“Josh has been a consistent leader for the Artesians going back to 2016,” said Oly Town owner Ryan Perkins. “He never needs to shout to get people’s attention as his work rate and dependability makes him a natural captain. Josh embodies so many qualities that we envision for the players including raising up youth soccer, always lending a helping hand and being a big brother to young college athletes.”
The first-ever semifinal game for the Artesian’s men’s arena soccer team would be against Everett City FC at Everett on March 4, 7:30 PM kickoff. It’s a win-or-go-home situation for Oly Town in this vital match, wherein this season, Everett won at their first outing 8-6 but Oly Town was victorious at the reverse fixture, 13-6.
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