Victoria Highlanders FC News Release - www.victoriahighlandersfc.com
Sunday, June 1, 2014
REDMOND, Wash. – Victoria Highlanders FC played the second match of its two-game road trip Sunday, conceding a 2-0 defeat to the Washington Crossfire at Redmond High School. With the loss, Victoria moves to 2-2-2 thid season.
Washington received its goals in a span of five minutes in the second half, with Hamza Haddadi and Christian Rolden finishing rushes up the field to put the side up 2-0. Both goals went unanswered, with Washington goalkeeper Tyler Visitin earning a clean sheet in the victory.
Similar to their match the night prior, the Highlanders opened the first half dictating play. The Highlanders generated several early chances and were noticeably more urgent in their attempts to get balls towards the net.
On 13 minutes, Sturrock was taken down at the 20-yard mark that resulted in a free kick for Victoria. A direct strike on net from captain Tyler Hughes was on target but Washington ‘keeper Visitin was well positioned to absorb the shot.
Sturrock was the most dangerous player for the Highlanders in the first half, receiving three quality opportunities that included a header from in close that went just high. Minutes later, Sturrock received a cross-pass from left back Andrew Ravenhill before striking the ball just wide of the goal. His third quality chance on net in the first half came from the top of the 18-yard box after he struck a rocket on net that Visitin had to sprawl to his left to save. Teammates Carlo Basso and Ryan Ashlee also received chances to put Victoria up, but they were unable to convert.
Matthew Poplawski showed flashes of brilliance for Washington, getting behind the Highlanders defence in the 16th minute, but lacking the finish to put his side up against the flow of play. Poplawski received several additional looks on net that were shot wide. The first half ended with neither side able to convert.
Early chances in the second half for the Highlanders included shots from Alex Rowley and Carlo Basso, as well as a promising looking rush from Victoria’s Cam Hundal that saw the forward breaking the line of defenders before the ball was deflected out of play.
Washington broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, as second half substitute Haddadi redirected a cross in close from Jordan Kollars to put the Crossfire up 1-0.
After surviving a sustained period of pressure from Victoria, Washington moved in once again, with Poplawski crossing a pass to Rolden that the forward redirected into the net for Washington’s second goal of the game.
The Highlanders were unable to answer back through the latter half of the second, dropping a 2-0 decision to Washington.
The loss moves Victoria’s record to 2-2-2 on the season, while the Crossfire earn their first victory of the year. Next up, the Highlanders return home to host the Portland Timbers U-23 at Royal Athletic Park, June 7 at 7 pm PT. For more information, please visit www.highlandersfc.ca.