SEATTLE, Wash. — For the second time in as many weeks, West Seattle Junction FC dropped points from a leading position, after settling for a draw at home against Lane United FC.
Tonight’s contest was evenly matched right from the kickoff, with the visitors nearly breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute when Lane winger Martim Sereno was denied in a 1v1 scenario with goalkeeper Lucas Martin.
The hosts managed to turn the tide of the game just five minutes later, when forward Jacen Stein doubled his goal tally for the year after he got on the end of a corner from Joschi Schelb and powered his header past Will Ficek in goal for the Reds.
The game continued to be a physical contest, with Lane maintaining possession for long spells throughout the half, while the Blues looked to exploit the visitors on the counter attack.
Junction FC would go on to double their lead in the 30th minute through center back Jake Larson, who fired his shot in off the post after his initial header was blocked following another corner from Schelb. “It was an amazing individual effort [from Jake], after getting the initial header on the ball in, and then being able to pick up the rebound and put it away,” shared head coach Erik Oman.
Schelb had a chance to add a third for the hosts with a breakaway towards the end of the half, but was swarmed by Lane defenders and unable to make his way around the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Lane continued pressing following the halftime break, with their pressure paying off in the 52nd minute after Sereno pounced on a misplaced pass from Rex Karjian and powered his shot past Martin in goal.
Despite their best efforts to extend their lead as the second half wore on, Junction FC was again pegged back after Matthew Reed’s header leveled things at 2-2 with just two minutes left in regulation. While unable to secure the win on the night, the Blues gained a valuable point which could prove crucial in their quest for a postseason playoff berth.
The Blues will look to bounce back and secure their first win of the season in just over a week’s time, when they welcome FC Olympia to Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic complex on Sunday, June 1st at 2:00 pm. Tickets for next Sunday’s contest can be purchased HERE.
