Submitted by Oly Town Artesians
JT Meyer scored twice and the Oly Town Artesians scored three goals in four minutes midway through the second half to roll to a 4-0 win over the Tri-Cities Alliance on Saturday night at Black Hills High School. Oly goalkeeper JJ Olson made five saves and recorded his first clean sheet of the season and the Artesians improved to 3-1-2 with 11 points this season.
Meyer started the game off right when he received a pass from Nate Boatright, made a couple of moves in front of the goal, and buried his shot past Alliance keeper Tonio Gonzalez to give the Artesians a 1-0 lead, one that they would not relinquish.
After the opening goal, both teams struggled in midfield and allowed good opportunities and Tri-Cities dominated possession for the last ten minutes of the half. Jason Rodriguez had the best opportunity but banged one off the post in the 31st minute, and the Lions could not get on the board before heading into the break.
They continued to hold the advantage for the first ten minutes of the second half, but then a switch flipped for the Artesians and it was a completely different game from then on. Sebastian Lyons started the goal-splosion with an unassisted goal in the 57th minute, and then moments later, Nigel El-Sokkary got behind the Tri-Cities defense on a counter attack and scored his first goal in his Oly Town debut. El-Sokkary, The Olympian’s 2016 All-Area Boy’s Soccer Player of the Year, was a late addition to the roster after Angel Trejo-Delgado was unable to play due to injury.
Meyer earned his brace just three minutes later on another counter attack, and Oly continued to put on the pressure for the final 30 minutes and were able to keep Tri-Cities off the board for their first clean sheet of the season.
The win moved Oly into second place in the Coastal Division with 11 points and to within one point of the division leading Seattle Stars. They are now two points ahead of the Vancouver Victory in the division and they will make a quick turnaround and travel to the Harmony Sports Complex to face the Victory tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
The Artesians will return home for the final regular season home game on Saturday, June 30 against the Vancouver Victory. First kick at Black Hills is set for 6:00 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at www.olytownfc.com/tickets.
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Featured photo credit: Charis Wilson
