Force Can't Capitalize on PAC loss

On Saturday, the Force men took on the Oly Town Artesians. It was a game they needed. It was a game they didn't get. Now they look forward hoping it isn't a game that completely changes their season.

To say the boys in blue missed a huge opportunity to solidify a playoff spot is an understatement. They started the day in second behind PAC NW, at the end of the day they would still end the day in second behind PAC NW, but oh, what could have been.

The Force fell behind in the 23rd minute when the Oly Town attackers combined to give them the lead. The Force would get a couple of good chances in the first half but the offense sputtered for the most part, unable to maintain much possession and struggling to be dangerous.

Coach Brandon Henry made 6 changes at the half and the impact was immediate. The Force had possession and were threatening the Artesian goal. The OTA keeper who was only forced into 2 saves in the first half, made 6 key saves in the second half. After 19 minutes of intense pressure and chances, the Artesian defense finally gave way. Sixteen year old Brandt Kelly played Keeton Heggerness into the box and he beat the keeper to the ball and scored to bring the game level.

Even more chances over the next several minutes should have seen the Force take the lead but good goal keeping and some tough bounces and a clearance off the goal line kept them at bay. In the 78th minute, the Artesians finally managed a decent attack in the second half, but it was all they would need as the shot from 30+ was rifled into the top corner.

The Force nearly leveled the match 4 times after that including another Heggerness opportunity that went wide by mere inches. In the end, the Force gave up another 3 points at home and didn't manage to gain any ground on PAC who would lose 2-0 later in the day.

With his first career Force goal and helping to spark the offense with numerous chances in the second half, former Kitsap Puma, Keeton Heggerness was named the White Claw Hard Seltzer Man of the Match.

The Force men will regroup this week before taking on Vancouver this Saturday at Gordon Field at 3pm. Click the calendar link on the home page for tickets.