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The Kitsap Pumas played their first-ever pre-season match in Poulsbo last night and came away with a 2-1 victory over the Tacoma Stars on two goals by Whitworth graduate and Newburg Oregon native Matt Friesen. Tacoma's goal came via a penalty kick and was notched by guest player Beau Macaluso of Tacoma Tide FC and the Washington Huskies.
Kitsap had chances to increase the final margin but hit the post and had several shots cleared off the line. The Pumas entered North Kitsap High School's Viking Stadium clad in their new, signature white and bright royal blue 'hooped' jerseys. The money made from ticket sales to the crowd of around 800 went to the North Kitsap (Youth) Soccer Club.
Matt Friesen scores Kitsap's first-ever pre-season goal to draw even with Tacoma in the first half. (Jenni Conner, GOALKitsap.com)
Matt Friesen showed two different skill sets in his goals. The first came in the 12th minute as a result of not giving up on a ball that was about to go over the endline. Friesen got his foot quickly to it and nicked it past the Tacoma keeper, who was surprised at the quick flick. Friesen's second goal, and the match-winner, came after a scramble in front of the Tacoma goal. In the 22nd minute the clearance came out to Friesen at the top of the penalty arc and he calmly shot a low laser right back into the goal with the keeper helpless to do anything about it.
Tacoma had taken an early lead after a handball set up a penalty try for Beau Macaluso. He hit the ball to the right of Pumas' goalkeeper Dustyn Brim in the 8th minute.
The Pumas celebrate Friesen's first goal. (Jenni Conner, GOALKitsap.com)
Other performances of note for the Pumas came from Kyle Johnson at left back and William Njamen at forward. Johnson, a Bremerton boy, was able to consistently beat his defenders on the overlap and set up dangerous attack options for Kitsap. Njamen, a sprite and fast forward from the other side of the world (Yoounde, Cameroon) was continually on the prowl in the second half and causing the Tacoma defense to scramble.
Sounders SuperSearch winner Vini Oliveira was on hand for the Pumas but did not suit up.
Kitsap next plays Seattle Pacific University next Saturday April 25th at 4:30 PM at South Kitsap High School in their final pre-season match before opening the season May 2nd in Spokane against the Spiders.
More Pumas Coverage:
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Tacoma Tide FC sent a few players to Kitsap to help the Stars against the Pumas, and then took most of their roster to Portland to play the United Soccer Leagues' Portland Timbers last night. Portland had beaten Seattle Sounders FC's 'reserves' 3-2 in Tukwila on Monday. The Tide and guest players shocked the heavily-favored Timbers by scoring a goal in the 87th minute to earn a 1-1 draw with PDX. The Timbers are two full divisions above the Tide in US soccer's pyramid.
The Portland Timbers have posted a brief recap. Maple Valley's Nik Besagno scored Tacoma's late goal on a sitter in the 6-yard box.
Comments
So much soccer to keep up on in the Puget Sound. Ain't it great?
I have to say, those stripes are not the most attractive uniform I've ever seen, but it probably makes it fairly easy for the players to spot each other.
Yeas, realitycheck, we ARE the SOUND of soccer! :) I really like the Pumas' hooped kits. Snazzy in person.
Blue and white hoops=classic football
Can't say the same for the Sounders.
Come on adidas! ;-)
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