Big Performances, Close Finishes, and Key Early-Season Wins

Week three of the WISL schedule delivered high-paced action, standout individual performances, and early-season movement in the standings as teams continue to find their rhythm. Everett City, Bellingham United, and Oly-Pen Force each picked up important wins on Saturday night.

Everett City FC vs. South Sound FC

Everett City FC earned a convincing 7–3 road victory over South Sound FC on Saturday, using 

Everett City FC’s Adan Fernandez earned First Star honors after a standout performance, scoring three goals to lead his side with 3 points. Second Star went to teammate Andrew Escalante, who added two goals of his own in Everett City’s strong offensive showing. The Third Star was awarded to Jesus Flores of South Sound FC, who contributed a goal and an assist, finishing with 2 points and providing one of the key bright spots for his team.

EFC (Credit SCSC)

The win keeps Everett in the hunt near the top of the WISL standings as they improve to 2–1, while South Sound falls to 1–2.

Bellingham United at Tacoma Stars Reserves

In a rematch of last year's championship match that saw the Tacoma Stars Reserves (Tacoma) claiming the title, Bellingham won this latest installment 7-1 on the road.

Bellingham United swept the three-star honors, led by First Star James Salisbury, who delivered a well-rounded performance with one goal and one assist for 2 points. Second Star Riley Liddle anchored the defensive effort, allowing just one goal while recording 12 saves in a standout showing between the pipes. Third Star Richard Henderson rounded out the accolades, contributing two assists and serving as a steady playmaker throughout the match.

“ It’s a terrific result but more importantly the performance was on message and to our standard… the beginning of the season is particularly always challenging for us, as we play a unique and high octane style which requires time on the training pitch but also games to get synced up… back to back games on road against two difficult opponents is not an ideal start but any road win in this league is tough and no more so than in Tacoma,” said Bellingham’s player/coach, Rich Henderson.

The win moves Bellingham to 1-1 and in fourth place, while Tacoma now stands at 3-1 and remains atop the table.

Oly-Pen Force vs. Snohomish Sky

In one of the wildest finishes of the young WISL season, Oly-Pen Force edged Snohomish Sky 9–8 on Saturday night in Snohomish. Both teams entered the match hungry for a statement win, and the back-and-forth scoring reflected it.

Cole Jarrett claimed First Star honors for Oly-Pen Force with a hat trick, finishing the night with three goals and three points in the high-scoring matchup. The Second Star went to Snohomish Sky’s Cody Duncan, who delivered an impressive all-around performance with two goals and two assists for a game-high four points, keeping Snohomish competitive throughout the contest.

“This game was a difficult matchup with many transitional moments that kept the game open until the end. Even when we weren’t playing our best, we were able to capitalize in big moments. Getting an away win in a difficult venue is a huge success,” said Force coach Tim Jewett.

“This win means a lot and helps progress our momentum going into a difficult matchup against Everett. We now have two home games in a row, and this win helps carry that momentum into those.”

The Sky took on Oly-Pen in a high-scoring affair

The win moves Oly-Pen to 2–1, while Snohomish drops to 1–2 in an early-season race that already looks tightly contested.