GAME SUMMARY:
Hayward Wolfpack FC lost their first game of the year against Union Eau Claire FC, who are currently undefeated in WPASL play. The first half started fairly one-sided with the Hayward squad controlling the majority of the possession and chances through the first 30 minutes. Wolfpack leading scorer Mally Lumsden broke through the defense in the 23rd minute to put the Wolfpack up front, with the assist going to Mark Fehringer. Union's Luis Nunez was able to tie the game up in the 36th minute and the game's momentum turned in favor of the Eau Claire side. Wolfpack starting goalkeeper Dru Senich left the game at halftime with an injury and did not return, leaving one of the Wolfpack's few subs, Maision Oliver, to enter the game at halftime in net.
The second half was all Union, who came out with a mission. The Eau Claire side was able to dominate the midfield and took advantage of a flat-footed backline for the Pack. Lu Shi Xiong scored on a breakaway from a perfectly threaded through ball from Herbert Engop early in the half. Union then took advantage of a mishit ball to give Awalow Bundid a breakaway goal in the 78th minute to put the game out of reach. Lumsden finished up the scoring for the Wolfpack off of a great cross from Cole Gewerth, but it was too little, too late and the Pack's undefeated season came to an end. Goalkeepers Dru Senich and Maision Oliver finished the game with 7 combined saves and the Wolfpack were outshot 10-8
"We have to give props to Union for a great game played. They got us off of our style of play, and we didn't have the composure we needed to continue playing our game instead of panicking and forcing forward when we started falling behind. We also need to travel better than that, especially trying to take advantage of Union not having their ECU players back yet. We were missing four starters and had a short bench, and in this league you'll be punished for that, although I think some of our guys really stepped up well to fill roles. It's disappointing but it's a long season and we're still in the race. It'll be a good week to regroup against Portside before we play the other undefeated league opponent, Lobos FC, at home on July 19th. That's a big one." - AC Cole Bergman
BOX SCORE:
6-5/Bollinger Field/WPASL League Game
Hayward Wolfpack FC......................................1 1 -2
Union Eau Claire FC..........................................1 2 -3
First Half - HWFC - Mally Lumsden (Mark Fehringer) 23'; UECFC- Luis Nunez (Awalow Bundid) 36'
Second Half - UECFC - Lu Shi Xiong (Herbert Engop) 51'; UECFC- Bundid (Nunez) 78'; HWFC - Lumsden (Cole Gewerth) 89'
Saves: HWFC - Dru Senich (4 saves), Maison Oliver (3 saves); UECFC - Zach Holmstrom (6 saves)
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Wolfpack will face Portside FC in a friendly match on Sunday, June 12th, a game that was postponed earlier this season. The match kicks off at 6pm, and will be played in Duluth, MN (Field options are still being evaluated).