EdCC Men's Soccer Ties, But Wins North Title

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MOUNT VERNON – The EdCC Tritons tied with Skagit Valley 0-0 Saturday night at Mount Vernon HS. But the tie was essentially a victory for Edmonds which finished the regular season one point ahead of the Cardinals (24-23) to claim the 2014 NWAC North title.

The North regular season championship is the third in four years for the EdCC men’s soccer program (2011, 12, 14) and head coach Brandon Mitalas. The Tritons will now host one of three teams in a NWAC Quarterfinal Match at 2 pm on Saturday, November 8: Tacoma, Bellevue or Chemeketa. The quarterfinal winner advances to the NWAC “Final Four” November 15 and 16 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

The Tritons head into the NWAC postseason with a 7-7-4 overall mark and a 7-3-3 league record. Skagit Valley (9-5-2, 7-4-2) is the North No. 2 seed and will host Wenatchee Valley in a first round tilt on Wednesday, November 5.

Saturday’s match was moved from Skagit Valley College to Mount Vernon High School’s turf field because recent rain had made Cardinal Field unplayable. That might have helped the Tritons who play on a turf field. What also helped EdCC was five saves from keeper Arturo Oberto, including an amazing one in the 88^th minute on a free kick on a ball that looked like a sure goal.

The Tritons actually pressed early and had a few good chances in the first half. The Cardinals, knowing a win was the only way to claim a second consecutive North title, went after it in the second and seemed to be on the verge of a score for much of the half. But the Tritons would hold off SVC to grab the tie and the crown.