PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club got its first ever stoppage time winning goal on Sunday July 14 in a 4-3 friendly match win over FC International at Kitsap Bank Stadium.
Jake MacKenzie finished off a pass from Peter Radovich in the 92nd minute to secure a thrilling victory. There was not another play in the match. A red card sequence was followed by the lead referee blowing the final whistle as the clubs gathered at the center circle for a restart that never came.
The non-league match offered Head Coach Patrick Leonard a chance to give playing time to more players. “I think overall this was a great game to rotate players, get minutes for guys that we haven’t had the chance to see as much,” Pat says. “I think a few of those guys really took their opportunity, which was great to see. Also a couple new guys coming into the mix as well and I thought those boys played great on the day.”
Port Orchard improved to 10 wins and only 2 losses all time at Ed Fisher Field. Leonard praised the fans. “As always, the support were fantastic and even as we scored the winner right at the end, I thought their support pushed us on. They have really helped make our home games feel like an advantage in a lot of ways, history shows us that.” 586 tickets were sold for the match.
Leonard coached Jake MacKenzie during his high school soccer career at Central Kitsap. Now Jake goes into the club record books with the first winning goal scored after more than 90 minutes of play. “Great to see some guys really take chances well, and another Jake Mackenzie winner, can’t ask for much more than that!” Pat says.
Peter Radovich carried the match for POFC with a penalty kick conversion and two spinning assists. His PK gave POFC a 3-2 lead in the second half. He drew the foul.
It was 1-0 POFC after newcomer Luis Zazueta drew a penalty kick call and Connor Louden converted in the 41st minute. FC International took only 2 minutes to level the game 1-1.
In the second half Radovich’s first assist went to a score by Seamus Miller. It will be Peter’s second assist that might be remembered most. FC International had drawn level 3-3 in the 89th minute. Playing with an 11-9 advantage from two visitor red cards, POFC kept its cool and found a way back on top when a Caleb Gilbert throw in connected with Radovich, who spun around and found MacKenzie waiting at the far post. Jake tucked it home and bedlam erupted at SKHS.
POFC travels to Washington Premier FC on Wednesday July 17th in the club’s final CPL1 match of the season. It’s a must-win to keep playoff hopes alive.
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Leoanrd says, “We still have some work to do as we sharpen things up, but I thought we really had the chance to work on something shape wise that will help us going forward into the last couple games and hopefully a postseason as well. We will do everything we can to be there and to give these supporters that, because they deserve it.”
