For the second year in a row, Ballard FC are Northwest Division Champions. Sunday afternoon’s victory sealed the championship, as Ballard finished top of the division standings on goal difference.
Both goals were scored in the first half, with player of the match and birthday boy Peter Kingston heavily involved. Kingston assisted Alex Mejia’s opener and then got a goal of his own just minutes later.
Ballard FC are thrilled to be hosting playoffs at Interbay Stadium on July 19th and 21st. Stay tuned for more details and tickets which will be released to the general public later today!
WHAT HAPPENED?
The match started with Ballard on the front foot. The first chance fell to Kingston in the 4th minute as his left-footed shot curled just wide. Five minutes later, Mejia’s near post finish narrowly missed, hitting the post. Mejia would continue to be dangerous, forcing Junction goalkeeper Lucas Martin into a save with a header from Ballard’s first corner.
In the 15th minute, West Seattle had a dangerous counter and Charlie Lanphier made a diving stop, tipping the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, the deadlock would be broken.
In what almost looked like a replay of Friday night’s winner against United PDX, Kingston got on the ball out wide and set in a cross to the back post for Mejia to head home across his body.
After the goal, Ballard remained on the front foot. Richie Aman continued to attack his University of Washington teammate Mani Diop. In the 24th minute, Aman beat Diop and won a penalty as Diop was forced into a last ditch tackle. Kingston stepped up to take the spot kick and his shot was saved by Martin, yet Kingston volleyed home the rebound to put Ballard up two.
Ballard would see out the rest of the half and go into the break with a two goal advantage.
In the second half, Aman scored what seemed to be the third goal but it was ruled off for a foul. In the 58th minute, Joe Dale and Ray Mendez came on for Juan Alvarez and Charlie Gaffney to provide some needed legs off the bench on a hot afternoon.
The rest of the changes would come in the 70th minute as Chris Meyers, Elliot Spatz, Isaac Ketcham, and Rafi Otero came on for Mejia, Aman, Sean Sent, and Luke Hammond.
Just minutes after coming on, the substitutes almost connected for a goal as Spatz headed in Meyers’ cross but the goal was ruled offsides.
From then out, Ballard saw out a two goal victory to clinch their second straight division title.
FULLTIME: Ballard FC 2-0 West Seattle Junction
HOW WE LINED UP?
STARTING XI: Lanphier, Hammond, D. Alvarez, Engmann, Brisco, Sent, J. Alvarez, Kingston, Aman, Gaffney, Mejia
SUBS: Dale, Mendez, Spatz, Meyers, Otero, Ketcham
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Peter Kingston was named Player of the Match for a complete performance in midfield capped off with both a goal and an assist.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ballard FC will host playoffs at Interbay Stadium on July 19th and 21st! Stay tuned for more details and tickets which will be released to the general public later today.
