Seattle Wolves News Release - www.seattlewolvesfc.com
Friday, July 17, 2009
SEATTLE, WA - On Friday July 17th the Seattle Wolves Football Club (10-3-3) completed their inaugural Premier Development League regular season with a 1-0 home win over the Abbotsford Mariners (4-9-4) through an Evan Morgan strike in the 77th minute of play.
The victory temporarily vaults the Wolves into second place in the PDL Northwest Division as Seth Spidahl’s side must wait for Saturday’s match between Abbotsford and Portland to finalize the division table in regards to postseason seeding.
If the Mariners are able to draw or win against the Oregon side, Seattle will host the first round of the 2009 Divisional Playoffs at Starfire Stadium on Wednesday July 22nd at 3:00 PM. While a Portland draw would leave both teams deadlocked with 33 points, the Wolves defeated the Timbers 3-1 in their sole regular season encounter, thus giving Seattle the edge for the postseason.
Friday’s match was hard fought, and the Wolves prevailed through the use of strategic second half substitutions. The first half lacked strong offensive output from either side, as the match became mired in contentious midfield play.
The second half was an entirely different affair, as Wolves midfielder Ely Allen ripped a powerful shot from the top of the area in the 48th minute. Abbotsford’s 6’5” Kris Johannson stood firm in goal, but Allen’s strike was a sign of things to come.
In the 67th minute veteran striker Alex Chursky unleashed a fearsome shot from the right of the area, and Johannson required every inch of his considerable frame to push the attempt over his own crossbar.
Seattle substitute Evan Morgan asserted himself in the 68th minute when he rounded the entire Abbotsford defense sprinting towards the right of the area. Morgan dragged his shot attempt wide of goal, but the attacking midfielder’s work rate was outstanding throughout the contest.
In the 76th minute Morgan was through on goal and chose to hit the ball on the volley rather than take a touch, resulting in an errant shot that sailed to the right of the Abbotsford goal.
One minute later Morgan received an Ely Allen cross and buried his opportunity in the back of Johannson’s net. The 1-0 lead energized the Seattle players and fans, and Chursky almost backheeled a second goal past Johannson in the 78th minute.
Despite the efforts of Seattle’s players to pepper the Abbotsford goal, a second strike was not necessary in order to claim all three points. The Mariners offensive threat was anemic throughout the contest, as the club only traveled with fourteen players and made one substitution.
The victory marks Seattle’s third consecutive clean sheet, a testament to Seattle’s back four and the abilities of goalkeeper John Moore.
In only their first season in the United Soccer Leagues the Wolves have won ten of their sixteen matches, drawn three, and lost three contests.
When asked about the successful nature of this campaign, Wolves manager Seth Spidahl stated, “Obviously if you had said our record would be what it is now at the beginning of the season I would have been thrilled. Our players have been focused and I appreciate their hard work.”
Spidahl continued, “Fortunately we have hit our best form heading into the playoffs, and our poise on the road has been phenomenal. No matter where we play this opening playoff match, I believe that our guys will give themselves an opportunity to win.”
Indeed the Wolves have gone to hostile places such as Victoria and Cascade and have come away with victories. And although the prospect of travelling to PGE Park next week to face Portland appears daunting, the Wolves are more than capable of advancing deep into the postseason.
Saturday’s match between the Timbers U23 and Abbotsford will determine the venue of this highly anticipated first round clash.
