YAKIMA, WA—When you are up 3-0 after just 8 minutes of play, you expect to win. However the Hoppers of Yakima United (3-2-1, ten points) needed twice that many goals as they hosted the Olympic Force (1-4-0, 3 points) on Friday night May 29 at Marquette Stadium. In the end an EPLWA-record 11 goals were scored as YUFC held off the visitors 6-5.



Noe Meza scores for the Hoppers. (YUFC YouTube Channel)

It was a sunny, hot night in Yakima and the West Sound travelers saw themselves out of it early on. The Hoppers scored goals in the 3rd (William Pineda), 6th (Andres Ruiz) and 8th (Junior Garcia) to stun the Force and seemingly put the match in the “laugher” category. The Force had other ideas.

Match Gallery: YUFC Facebook Page

Match Report: YakimaUnited.net

Match Photos: by Tracie Fowler

Olympic got one back in the 20th minute by Roland Demombynes. Yakima responded in the 31st when Hector Valdovinos made in 4-1. Before the half the Force were back within two goals as Miles Nilsen converted a penalty kick try in the 35th minute to make it 4-2.

It was game on in the 56th minute when Diego Aceves scored for Olympic to make it 4-3. The Hoppers felt the pressure and responded by scoring two more of their own to once again lead by three goals. Noe Meza made it 5-3 Hoppers in the 62d minute. Then Junior Garcia made it 6-3 Yakima in the 66th. That was all the Hoppers would get – and they would end up needing them all.

The Force kept pushing, and they got to within 6-4 when Kyle Schoales scored in the 83rd minute. The scoring was complete in added time when Daniel Wiseman netted one to make the astonishing final score of 6-5.

Both clubs have no time to ponder the scoring classic, let alone rest, as they play Saturday night. Yakima United travels to Spokane while Olympic moves up the road to face Wenatchee.