Fischer’s Finish, Canning’s Brace Seals Victory in the 90th

The South Puget Sound (SPSCC) Clipper Men's Soccer team defeated Centralia College 3-2 in thrilling fashion at home to remain in third place in the west region of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). Goals by freshman winger, and Sherwood, Oregon native, Grant Fischer in the 21st minute from a picture-perfect aerial finish on a corner kick, and a pair of scores from freshman attacking midfielder Alex Canning in the 13th and 90th minute would provide the Clippers with the win moments before the final whistle would sound.

"Some of our guys and some of their guys grew up playing with/or against each other. We have traded transfers, and we are a short drive from each other's campus so the game naturally brings more energy and sense of community, but also venom. Although we need to play more skillful and composed football, above all else, I am proud of this team's ability to fight until the very end without excessive fouling," said Head Coach Max Sampson.

The Clippers outshot the Trailblazers 12-5, maintaining their pattern of chance creation and attacking style of play. On the other hand, the visiting team absorbed all they could while eventually getting two red cards in the final minutes.

The game became frantic after Centralia equalized on a defensive error to tie the game 2-2 in the 59th minute. The Clippers and Blazers both decided to start skipping lines and play direct. It wasn't until the final minute that the Clippers would breakthrough on a long pass to freshmen speedster Alejandro De La Rosa, who was tackled American football-style at the edge of the box to draw the first ejection from Centralia.

Sophomore Goalkeeper Hayden Sciera added, "The difference between winning and losing was the intensity we brought from the first minute to the very last minute of the game. Not to call it our best game ever, but we never gave up. Collectively as a team we found a way to overcome early mistakes."

Sophomore talisman Erik Olvera knew exactly where to put the ball, serving in the path of a sprinting Canning — who happen to be roommates — to register Olvera's third assist on the day.