Kitsap Pumas leave it late but still squash Spokane Spiders 3:0

Tye Perdido, seen here in pre-season action, netted the winner in Spokane as the Pumas stayed in control of earning a US Open Cup berth with a 3:0 win over the Spiders. (Jenni Conner)

Coming soon on Seattle Soccer Examiner: Photos and video from Spokane!

A childhood notion goes that if you step on a spider, it brings rain. Saturday night it worked the other way around. First a bit of drizzle invaded the match in the second half, and then the Kitsap Pumas stepped on the Spokane Spiders by breaking up a scoreless tie with three goals in the final 22 minutes of a 3-0 victory at Joe Albi Stadium.

“I don’t like that; I want to see it happen quicker,” Kitsap coach Peter Fewing said. Talk to the weather man, coach.

The Pumas dominated play throughout and outshot Spokane 13-1, but some missed opportunties around the net and a handful of fine saves by local high school goalkeeper Garrett Brickey kept things close.

““We expect it (close games),” winger Cameron Hepple (two goals) said. “Teams are always out looking to get us, looking to ‘one-up’ us. It’s like a World Cup final kind of thing,” he suggested. The Pumas are professionals playing for now in a league with amateur rosters.

“It’s just one of those games where we just have to keep working,” Fewing said. “And give the Spiders credit for making it hard.”

Cameron Hepple, seen here in action against the University of Washington, scored two late goals to insure a Kitsap win in Spokane. (Jenni Conner)

The Pumas (2-0) got on the board in the 68th minute when reserve forward Tye Perdido -- the leading scorer at nearby Gonzaga University last fall -- pounded home a goal from close range. The play started off a corner kick by speedy little Hepple, who added the game’s other two goals in the final five minutes.

“We just have to keep our confidence,” Hepple said. “Not get antsy or impatient, just play our game.”

Hepple described Perdido’s goal as “definitely clutch.” Dan Scott headed the ball down to the right side of the goal on Hepple’s corner kick, and Perdido rammed the ball home. It was a "Hawaiian" connection, not to mention a linking of Gonzaga University stand-outs. Both Perdido and Scott are from the Islands and played their college soccer with the Zags. Fitting then that they would combine for the winner...in Spokane.

Hepple hauled in a long pass from Todd Wellenius to score from the right side with five minutes to go. The Pumas made numerous second-half substitutions, one of whom was Wallenius. He was instantly active and freed up Hepple to do his magic.

Less than a minute remained in the game when Hepple struck from the left side on a feed by David Gray, the Scottish import who arrived last week. Gray had not been expected to play, but he made the trip in place of high-scoring forward Robbie Christner. Fewing said Christner may require surgery for a sports hernia and will be evaluated again tomorrow.

The Pumas open their home season this coming Saturday May 15 when they host Tacoma Tide FC in the first leg of the Narrows Bridge Bell derby.

In other PDL Northwest action the Victoria Highlanders edged the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency 3:2. Match report here.