Tacoma Tide FC win home opener 4:1 over Yakima on Schomaker's deuce

Spencer Schomaker's return to University Place produced two goals and a Tide win. (David Falk)

 Next match: Tacoma Tide v. Spokane, Sunday May 30, 3:00 PM Curtis High School

The last time I saw Spencer Schomaker on a soccer pitch he was walking dejectedly off of the Bremerton Memorial Stadium grass after Tacoma Tide FC had fallen 3-0 to the Kitsap Pumas on May 15th. Schomaker was cut by Kitsap in pre-season due to a roster crunch of players over the age of 23. Friday night, back in his familiar yellow kit and on his familiar field at Curtis High School, Schomaker scored two goals to lead the Tide to a 4:1 win over the Yakima Reds. He was joined on the pitch by another former Puma, Mark Conrad.

Read the club match recap here.

The goal scoring began in the 18^th minute. Xan Nixon, a St. Martins product won the ball in midfield and found Tide veteran, Chase Tangney, on the right wing. Tangney crossed a ball into the box to the on-rushing Schomaker who gave the Tide an early advantage.

With the goal scoring touch on his boot, the Syracuse graduate scored his 2^nd just nine minutes later. A throw in on the left side found Steven Pirotte, with plenty of space to look up and cross. The Concordia College graduate crossed to Schomaker. With his back to goal, the Tide forward flicked the ball off his heel across the face of goal and into the far corner to double the Tide lead.

Tacoma's other goals were by Daniel Gray and Chris Sanders, both of whom were recent interviewees right here on Seattle Soccer Examiner. About 100 fans braved the miserable weather to see the contest. They huddled under the stadium's roof while the players were drenched on the pitch below.

The blind goal from Schomaker was special, but the highlight reel was not complete. In the 36^th minute, a Yakima pass was picked off by Brayton Knapp 40 yards away from goal. Knapp’s first touch beat the nearest Yakima defender. The second touch found Daniel Gray’s right foot. After a settling touch, Gray launched a blast into the upper right corner to prompt the Tide crowd to their feet.

In the 40^th minute the Tide defense was caught in one of those youthful errors as their offside’s trap was beaten by Abdul Aman. The fast forward shot down the middle of the field and beat Spencer Richey on the 1v1 to make the score 3-1 at halftime.

Daniel Gray scored Tacoma's third goal, a long-range blast in the 40th minute. (David Falk)

The Tide would add an insurance goal in the 69^th minute after Steven Pirotte put in an early cross that was intelligently left to run by Schomaker. He knew he had 2^nd half substitute, Chris Sanders, waiting near the penalty spot. Sanders knew he had time and space and he used both to pick out the right corner of the net for his first goal of the season. The match finished 4-1.

Schomaker played for Tacoma in 2007 and 2008 during a time when the Tide were division and playoff contenders. In a steady drizzle and occasional stiff wind he battled up front and showed his penchant for classy touches and finishing prowess.

Also seeing action in the match was former USL Sounder Jake Sagare, who played the first half for the Reds. Sagare is now heavily involved with youth soccer in Yakima.

Raphael Cox started for the Tide and created mayhem down the left side for the Red's defense.

Tacoma's all-time leading scorer Rory Agu saw late action sporting a slip-on cast for a badly sprained thumb.

The Tide claimed their first win of the season to improve to 1-0-2 (W-D-L). Yakima is now 0-0-4.

Former Kitsap Pumas players Mark Conrad (left) and Spencer Schomaker (right) helped Tacoma beat the Yakima Reds 4:1 on May 28th. (David Falk)