Submitted by Oly Town Artesians
The Evergreen Premier League has named defender Kyle Wiese Defensive Player of the Week for his performance on Tuesday in the Oly Town Artesians 2-1 win over the Vancouver Victory. Wiese made an emergency start at keeper making two saves in the first 11 minutes and then helped hold off the high scoring Victory’s comeback attempt on defense in the second half.
“We were sweating bullets waiting for our keepers to arrive after both of them got stuck in traffic,” Oly Town Artesians General Manager Brandon Sparks explains. “It came as no surprise that Ray (Finn, Artesians Head Coach) looked around at a group of guys with little goalkeeping experience and Kyle stepped up. Ray trusted him and it paid off. Vancouver pressed early and Kyle made two early saves, distributed the ball well and did a great job in a tough situation until JJ Olson arrived and got himself ready.”
Wiese, a native of Battle Ground playing in front of friends and family close to his hometown on Tuesday, has been with the Artesians since they were founded and is a captain, assistant coach and the Director of Business Development for Oly Town FC. The Evergreen State College alum has been instrumental in the success of the Artesians both on the field and off.
“It was a great effort from a guy that has meant so much to Tim Smith (Artesians owner) and I running this club,” continued Sparks. “It’s a well-deserved honor for a player that isn’t flashy, often plays in anonymity and doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”
Wiese and the Artesians (3-4-1, 10 points) head east on Saturday to take on Yakima United (2-5-2, 8 points) at SOZO Sports at 6:00 p.m. They will return home to face the Vancouver Victory on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Follow the Artesians all season long by visiting the Oly Town Artesian website, following them on Twitter, and liking them on Facebook.
