Undefeated.
That is the preseason form S2 has been in after four scrimmages over the last few weeks. The team has recorded a 3-0-1 record after a draw against University of Portland and wins against Sounders FC U-18, University of Washington and, after last weekend, Gonzaga University.
“It’s always good when you win but you have to look at the things you can fix,” said S2 Head Coach Ezra Hendrickson. “Tactical discipline is what we are going to work on next.”
The Zags, dressed in blue kits, put up a good fight in the first half against the S2 boys wearing their training greys. For the first twenty minutes, a possession battle ensued in midfield, neither team creating much trouble for the other.
In the 22nd minute, things opened up for S2.
The team earned a corner kick, which fell perfectly at the feet of S2 prospect Giuliano Frano whose shot bounced off the crossbar. It fell to the scrambling Gonzaga keeper, Sounders Academy product Ben Willis, but was spilt directly into the path of Sounders FC SuperDraft pick Andy Craven. Craven reached out and made contact with the ball and sent it, and himself, into the net for the first goal of the match.
Nearly two minutes later, S2 struck again. This time it was Pablo Rossi with a screamer of a goal from 35 yards out. An S2 defender played a free kick short to Rossi who let the ball slide in front of him. With five yards of space in front of him, he…well, we’ll let this gif tell the rest of the story.
Rossi’s goal put S2 up 2-0 and the scoreline remained the rest of the game. This is the third goal for Rossi in the preseason, each coming from a ranged free kick well outside the box. Craven also has a handful of goals this preseason, scoring twice against University of Washington last week.
The second half saw two opportunities for the Bulldogs to earn one back, both times with the goal wide-open for the taking. However, both times the shot was sent high over the bar for a goal kick.
S2 saw chances to extend the lead even further, but Willis seemed determined not to let another shot go by.
New signing Duncan McCormick was all over the midfield during the game, and took time, along with fellow new signing Amadou Sanyang, to sign autographs for Eastside Supporters in Issaquah following the game.
The next chance to see S2 in action will be Thursday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. PT against Seattle University, a team coached by Sounders FC broadcast analyst Pete Fewing. The scrimmage will be played at Starfire Sports field three, and is free and open to the public.
