Wolfpack sink Bateaux FC, win Connect Four Derby

GAME SUMMARY:

Hayward Wolfpack FC scored six against league-leaders Bateaux FC to win the Connect Four Derby over their bitter rivals from Eau Claire for the third year in a row. Bateaux came out of the gates strong, putting a few quality shots on net which were handled well by Wolfpack keeper Dru Senich. The tides started to shift as the game progressed and the Pack were able to get on the board in the 21st minute when Mally Lumsden slotted home a shot after receiving a through ball from Jordan Finneran. The Wolfpack then scored again in the 28th minute when Finigan Huffington stole the ball and picked a corner from outside of the 18 to double the lead. Lumsden scored a brace in the 44th minute when he placed a free kick into the bottom right corner of the net to give Hayward a commanding lead into the half.

The second frame started with some back and forth action between the squads. Hayward's Lumsden secured his hat trick in the 59th minute on another perfectly placed free kick. The Wolfpack continued to roll after this, with Lumsden finding his fourth goal of the game after his partner in crime Huffington gave a perfect ball to him. The Wolfpack found their sixth and final goal of the game when Siji Gonzalez beat three defenders down the side of the box and crossed a ball to Abdul Abdulai, who slotted the ball home into an open net in the 75th minute. Goalkeeper Dru Senich had 7 saves and a shutout for Hayward, and the Wolfpack outshot Bateaux 11-7 in the contest.

BOX SCORE:

7-24/Bollinger Field/WPASL League Game

Hayward Wolfpack FC......................................3 3 -6

Bateaux FC........................................................0 0 -0

First Half - HWFC - Mally Lumsden (Jordan Finneran) 21', HWFC - Finigan Huffington (Unassisted) 28'; HWFC - Lumsden (Unassisted) 44'

Second Half - HWFC - Lumsden (Unassisted) 59', HWFC - Lumsden (Huffington) 62'; HWFC - Abdul Abdulai (Siji Gonzalez) 75'

Saves: HWFC - Dru Senich (7 saves); BAT- Jonathan Mullaly (5 saves)

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Wolfpack will close out the regular season against Lobos FC on Sunday, July 31st. The game will be at Jay Stadium in Merrill, WI at 2:00 PM.

The Wolfpack will look to qualify for the 2022 Wisconsin Challenge Cup, which will pit the top non-professional teams in the state against one another to determine a State Champion. This is the first time the tournament has been held since 2003, with Croatian Eagles SC (Franklin, WI) winning the last title 19 years ago. The tournament will be taking place on August 6 and 7 at the Dells Sports Complex in Wisconsin Dells, WI and qualifying teams will be announced after the weekend.