WISL: Oly Town Artesians FC undefeated at home for the first time ever this season

Oly Town FC breezed through a test of defense and held on just enough to outpoint bitter rivals Bellingham United, 5-2, in the Artesians’ final home game this season at the Evergreen State College Pavilion Sunday night.

The Artesians, usually reliant on their high-octane attacking and hunger for goals, came with an unusual match strategy as they focused more on strengthening their backline to hold Bellingham goalless up until the last quarter, as this massive win is crucial not just for Oly Town’s placement on the league tables, but for history as the club went undefeated at home for the first time ever in all competitions in a season.

Alex Vogt scored twice while Asa Moncivias, Kasey Sidor, and Rainier Schlekewey added their names on the scoresheet for this crucial victory, while Isaiah Damschen between the sticks, held on the Bellingham United attacks with save after save, anticipating every Bellingham attack, to keep the visiting team scoreless up until 50 minutes into the match wherein Ale Tomassi scored two consecutive goals as consolation.

“Being defensively compact and not allowing Bellingham to isolate one versus one or play off their post [is crucial for our game]” said Oly Town head coach Nick Boatright. “Our counter-pressing was extremely good and created several good goal-scoring chances.”

The Oly Town faithful did not disappoint as always, with a record crowd of around 300 wrapping the arena pouring their hearts out for the Artesians, and building a fortress of invincibility that is much needed for this club milestone. Those watching in the jampacked crowd were graced with special spectators, including youth players of Chinqually Booters and TC United, and Oly Town’s newly hired USL2 men’s head coach Liviu Bird, who addressed the crowd for the first time to hype up the upcoming 2023 summer outdoor season.

“It was incredible to see the pavilion packed,” said Boatright regarding the crowd. “The pavilion holds a special place in my heart because it was where I fell in love with the game. Watching the Evergreen players train as a boy and I am happy that we get to provide that to the community now.”

Kevin Vogt opened the scoring after 5 minutes with a wonderful left-footed strike, leaving the goalkeeper frozen, marking the Artesians’ 100^th goal of the WISL season.  Minutes later, Asa Moncivias joined the scoring party with a screamer from near the halfway line, while the Artesians maintained defense to make it 2-0 Oly Town in the first quarter.

It was still a tense affair for Oly Town vs Bellingham in the second quarter, with the Artesians clinging on a tight defense, partly thanks to efforts from Isaiah Damschen in goal, in a feisty, physical affair between the two rivals. Oly Town took advantage of one of its powerplays, wherein Jason Fairhurst, the current top scorer of the league with 17 goals, set up a cheeky Vogt, who pierced the 5-man Bellingham to make it 3-0 before halftime.

Oly Town FC added two beautiful goals in the second half, with Kasey Sidor making it 4-0 in the third quarter with a one-touch volley from his outside foot, while Rainier Schlekewey pounces on a broken play from Bellingham to run a counterattack from end-to-end with a beast of a finish to make it 5-0 early at the final quarter.

The Artesians, with five goals leading already, still wanted to erase the remnants of the reverse fixture, wherein Oly Town dominated the whole game until a final run by the hosts made it a draw at 8 apiece, gallantly keeping the defensive shape tight, until the end, but not until two quick goals by Ale Tomassi spoiled an almost perfect defensive performance in the final minutes before the whistle, as the crowd gave one last push for Oly Town’s WISL campaign this season.

Before the match, Oly Town legend Kailey Utley was honored and inducted into the Hall of Legends for Oly Town after setting club records for the women’s side, including 25 goals in a single arena season and five goals in a single match – records that shattered both men’s and women’s stat sheets since 2014.

Oly Town remains just two points behind still undefeated Tacoma Stars Reserves and five points ahead of Everett City FC for the #2 spot, but both Tacoma and Everett have one game in hand going into the final two weeks of the season.

The Artesians have a bye next week and later will travel to Tacoma Stars Reserves for a final showdown before the playoffs that will decide the Artesians’ fate of hosting their first-ever arena playoff game in club history. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., Saturday, February 25 at the Tacoma Indoor Soccer Center.