It was a good day for the home sides on Sunday April 30 as all three hosts won their matches in the 2017 kickoff of the Northwest Premier League (NWPL).

(Cover photo: Yakima United at Twin City Union by OlyPhotos.)

Twin City Union-4 Yakima United-2

CENTRALIA, WA— Twin City Union won their 2017 NWPL home opener 4-2 over Yakima United at Tiger Stadium on Sunday April 30. The Union were led by the two goals of Isabella (“Bella”) Brown, her second coming on a penalty kick conversion (see video.)

This was a close match and a battle all the way. The Union opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Camryn Althauser (assist) connected with Joslin Lindsay for the club’s first goal of the season. The Hoppers of YUFC answered back in the 14th minute when Riley Steele converted a penalty kick to make it 1-1.

Match Gallery: OlyPhotos Facebook

Twin City went back ahead 2-1 in the 34th minute when Bella Brown did the work on an unassisted goal.

The slim halftime advantage was increased for the Union in the 47th minute when LeAnne Phanakone converted a free kick to make it 3-1 for the Union. The Hoppers bounced back when Nikki Valezquez scored from an assist by Courtney Abrams in the 68th minute to make it 3-2.

Bella Brown provided the late cushion for the home side with a penalty kick conversion in the 78th minute for a 4-2 final score.

Seattle Stars-2 Olympic Force-1

KENT, WA— The Seattle Stars got off on the right foot in their NWPL season with a 2-1 win over the visiting Olympic Force on April 30 at French Field in Kent.

Alex Dombeck put the Stars up 1-0 with a goal in the 30th minute.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 for Seattle on a strike from Delaney Smith (40th minute.)

Jolene Kvinsland made the match a nail-biter when she converted a long range free kick just under the crossbar in the 66th minute to bring the Force close at 2-1.

Midfielder Maria Reeves jumped into goal for the Stars when their regular goalkeeper became unavailable. She made a couple of crucial saves during the match. “It was a great performance for someone we had to bring goalie gloves to the game for,” said Stars head coach Chris Wells.

Washington Timbers-1 NCW Alliance-0

VANCOUVER, WA— The Washington Timbers and NCW Alliance battled in the NWPL debut match for both clubs.

The winning goal came from a familiar name – Ellie Quercia. She was the leading scorer for Twin City Union last season as she made the drive up from Vancouver to play for them. Now she’s got a club closer to home – and a game-winning strike in that club’s first match. It was scored in the 60th minute of play. Madison Maffeo was credited with an assist.

The Timbers out-shot the Alliance 18-6.

Two Timbers goalkeepers combined for the shutout. Maggie Higgins played the first half and Sarah Kaufman the second.