Kitsap Pumas post another shut-out win; Seattle Wolves stumble in Spokane

Yakima, Wash. – The Kitsap Soccer Club, playing its second-ever regular-season match shutout  the Yakima Reds 2-0 at Marquette Stadium. In other local club action the Seattle Wolves fell 3-1 in Spokane.

The Pumas created decent chances in the first half against the Reds but it was 0-0 at the break.

!n the second half, the Pumas got on the board in the 50th minute. Mark Lee started the chain reaction with a throw in to Schomaker, who quickly collected it and tapped it to Hyde, who was just outside the goal box. He didn't hesitate, controlling it with his right foot and placed it in the left side of the goal for the score.

The second score came in the 74th minute as Schomaker was about to score on a breakaway attempt, but was tripped up by Reds defender Juan Duenas in the penalty area. He was awarded a red card and sent off the pitch. After a false start, Tony Kerr easily converted the penalty kick.

Along with strong defensive play from Max Lipset and Stephen Mohn, goalkeeper Dustyn Brim made several big saves to keep Yakima off the board and earn the shutout.

"I was pleased with the quality of defending," head coach John Wedge said. "Overall, we did a good job of closing them down."

Taylor Hyde (#20), shown here in pre-season action, put Kitsap on the scoreboard with the match-winner last night in Yakima.

The Pumas (2-0-0) have yet to concede a goal on the young season. Starting goalkeeper Dustyn Brim has registered both wins and both shutouts so far – a total of 180 minutes. The club has thus far crafted a whopping +7 goal differential.

The win counts in qualifying for the U.S. Open Cup. With the win, the Pumas have re-claimed the top spot in the Northwest divisional race. The top finishers in each of the Premier Development League’s eight divisions following the first four matches of the regular season will advance directly into Open Cup Play.

“We’re over the moon,” said coach James Ritchie. “This was a hard fought  match - the boys came out with a deserved win. We’re a long way from the finished article but I feel, when this team clicks, we’ll be bloody good.”

Tonight’s match for the Reds (0-2-0)  was the second of two back-to-back  contests.

Goalkeeper Dustyn Brim, shown here in pre-season warm-ups, posted his second straight shut out for the Pumas.

The Pumas kick off the home portion of their first season this Friday at Bremerton Memorial HS Stadium vs. local rival Tacoma. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, please visit www.kitsapsoccerclub.com, www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling the Kitsap Soccer Club office at 360-377-6008.

Other scores from around the PDL Northwest: Victoria Highlanders remain unbeaten after three away matches due to a 2:2 draw in Oregon against the Portland Timbers U-23's.

It's a very busy week coming up for Tacoma Tide FC. The Tide will play at Seattle Wolves FC Wednesday night in the Wolves' home opener, at Kitsap Pumas on Friday night in the Pumas' home opener, and will play their own home debut on Sunday May 17th against Cascade.