Pumas maintain perfect division record
Published 10:13 am Monday, June 15, 2009
Chilliwack, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Kitsap Pumas retained their grip on first place in the Northwest Division of the United Soccer League’s Premier Development League (USL PDL) with a dominant 3-1 win Friday over the Abbotsford Mariners under sunny skies and before a crowd of 135.
The win maintains the first-year franchise’s unbeaten status atop its division at 20 points (6-0-2) as the club hits the midpoint of its season. Abbotsford falls to 2-4-1 (7 points). Kitsap also grew its goal differential to plus-14 (19-5) – fourth-best in the 68-team PDL. Kitsap is one of only five unbeaten teams in the PDL and the only unbeaten side in the Northwest Division.
“We played well in patches and were up 2-1 at half,” head coach John Wedge said. “After we got it to 3-1, we were pretty well all over them until the close. I think their goal was offside and I’m sure we should have had a penalty – but regardless of all that, it’s a very solid win.”
Kitsap forward Spencer Schomaker opened the scoring in the 5th minute on an assist from speedy winger Mark Conrad. Abbotsford’s Justin Cordick leveled the score a minute later off an assist from forward Gibson Bardsley.
Pumas midfielder Kyle Johnson notched his first goal as a professional with a near-post blast in the 33rd minute to give Kitsap the lead for good.
Max Lipset added insurance off a long throw from Mark Lee, which the balletic 6-foot-5 defender poked in from the far post.
The Pumas outshot their hosts 20-8, its highest single-game shot total in the club’s brief history. The Abbotsford goal broke a string of 456 consecutive shutout minutes for Pumas goalkeeper Dustyn Brim, who made four saves.
“(Forward) Eli (Gordley) was the man of the match as far as I’m concerned,” Wedge said. “He was outstanding.”
The Pumas host Victoria on Friday, then turn around for an afternoon match against Vancouver June 21.
USL PDL Northwest Division
Points Games Wins Losses Draws
Kitsap Pumas 20 8 6 0 2
Portland Timbers U23 16 8 5 2 1
Seattle Wolves 13 7 4 2 1
Cascade Surge 10 7 3 3 1
Tacoma Tide 9 6 2 1 3
Abbotsford Mariners 7 5 2 2 1
Victoria Highlanders 6 6 1 2 3
Spokane Spiders 6 10 2 8 0
Van. Whitecaps Res. 5 4 1 1 2
Yakima Reds 3 6 1 5 0
