PORT ORCHARD, WA—Port Orchard Football Club scored a 2-1 victory over Redmond-based Crossfire Premier in the Cascadia Premier League D1 semifinals on July 26 to reach the 2024 Championship match. Kolby Juarez got the winner in added time at the end of the contest.
PRESS: Kitsap Daily News Match Coverage
PHOTOS: Jesse MacKenzie on FB.com/gopofc
POFC plays Sharktopus F.C. at 6 PM on Sunday July 28 back at WPFC Soccer Complex in Puyallup in the CPL1 Final. It’s a matchup featuring two sides playing their first seasons in Division 1. Last year Port Orchard won the CPL2 championship. Now promoted to the higher level, POFC will try to repeat the feat.
The semifinal match with Crossfire was even 0-0 at the half. POFC had the better chances and Crossfire perhaps the better possession.
The second half intensified proceedings. Crossfire pressed higher and maintained possession more fluidly. Port Orchard remained confident on defense and dangerous on the counter attack.
POFC took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute when Ben Wilkinson straddled the midfield stripe and timed a run perfectly. He ran on to a pass from Michael Divano and into the clear. Crossfire shouted for an offside call but no flag was raised and Wilkinson powered home a shot which easily beat the Crossfire goalkeeper. The play began at the opposite end when Hunter Milbrot headed a Crossfire ball out of the POFC box. It went to Derek Johnson who then found Divano.
POFC goalkeeper Jordan Hadden was in the midst of a dynamite performance. He kept the scoreline at 1-0 but had little chance when 7 minutes after Port Orchard scored Crossfire got even. Hadden saved the initial shot but the rebound fell to a Crossfire foot and was volleyed home in the 64th minute. Hadden would go on to make several crucial saves, setting up a dramatic finish.
Kolby Juarez scores a dramatic winner. (Photos by Jesse MacKenzie)
Dominik Pajimola came in for Michael Divano as the clock wound down towards an overtime period. POFC were still creating chances and Pajimola got a big call on a foul just outside the penalty area and just a bit to the left. Kolby Juarez stood over the try and shot into the Crossfire wall. The ball came directly back to him and Juarez launched a strike into the corner of the Crossfire goal. Bedlam broke loose. POFC supporters went wild and players emptied the bench, running across to the opposite side and celebrating the goal which gave POFC a 2-1 lead with just seconds to go.
The players reassembled at the center circle for the restart and after just a few touches the ball ended at the foot of Milbrot, who lofted it high into the air. The whistle blew and Port Orchard FC had scored a famous win.
Gaffer Leonard Reflects On The Accomplishment
“The night was special for the club. The support pushed us on in what was a very tough game against a strong side,” POFC Head Coach Patrick Leonard says. “We knew the task that was at hand with Crossfire as the opposition but the players were fantastic on the night and stood up to the challenge.”
“The work rate, effort, and resiliency of our players on the night was exactly what was needed. We knew certain moments called on us to be calm and sharp, but there was also a bravery needed on the night and again I think the players did that. It’s a night that our support deserves and the staff that work hard behind the scenes, so I’m glad we could give them that.”
“Now we quickly shift our focus to a strong Sharktopus side that will again put us in an underdog position. We have had lots of experience with that over these two seasons as a new club, so we will be prepared and ready for Sunday.”
Match Day photos by Tyler Brown.
Match Day photos by David Falk.
Watch the entire match here.
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