Tritons Fall in Epic Playoff Match

EdCC ready for introductions Wednesday

box score

ONTARIO, OR -- It's hard to imagine a NWAC first round match that was as hard-fought and as drama-filled as Wednesday's EdCC at Treasure Valley tilt. Edmonds represented the North as the #3 seed, while Treasure Valley CC Chukars came into the game as the #2 seed from the East. 

The two squads battled for more than 110 minutes -- but that still wasn't enough as the 2-2 stalemate was finally decided in TVCC's favor on penalty kicks, 3-1.

Edmonds finished the 2014 campaign under first-year head coach Brittney Beitel with an impressive 12-5-3 overall record. The Tritons, with just 14 on the roster, were short-handed all season but never used that as an excuse. 

Making matters worse on Wednesday, though, was the fact that starting defender Hannah Longsine was nursing an injury received at Skagit Valley last Saturday and was unable to play, forcing Coach Beitel had to juggle the Triton lineup. 

Treasure Valley started the game by attacking EdCC's defense. However, despite pressing for much of the first half, the Chukars were unable to finish, thanks to a couple of crossbar hits and a handful of saves from Triton goalkeeper Alecia Longsine. 

Brooke Thomas broke through for Treasure Valley in the 29th minute when she managed to shake the EdCC defense and take an unopposed shot from the far right corner, the ball spinning in past the post and into the net. 

Edmonds, listless for much of the opening stanza, would even the score in the 37th minute. A Chukar foul committed in the box on a corner kick, led to a PK and Lauren Rodger delivered for EdCC. 

Lexie Gray, a late addition to the Triton club this summer, scored her team-high ninth goal of the year a minute later to put Edmonds up 2-1. Gray's shot was a beauty, lobbed over Chukar keeper Tessa Pitzer from the 15-yard mark. 

Unfortunately, as EdCC was holding onto its slim lead, midfielder Olivia Olason had to leave the pitch due to injury. 

The Chukars would even the score in the 83rd minute when Madison Johnson lobbed in a terrific shot from 25-plus yards out, and from the left side of the box. Her ball went in just under the crossbar.

Banged up, tired and with people playing out of position, it seemed that Edmonds wouldn't be able to turn away a deep TVCC squad. The Tritons showed their mettle, however, and would hold off Treasure Valley for another 27 minutes, including two sudden-death overtimes. 

The match then went into penalty kicks. EdCC backup keeper Peyton Pruett made two outstanding saves but Pitzer also turned back two shots and TVCC would prevail 3-1. The game officially goes down as a 2-2 tie with TVCC advancing on PKs.

Alecia Longsine would make seven saves for Edmonds, Pruett had two saves.   

Treasure Valley (15-3-4) will head over to West No. 1 Peninsula College on Saturday to take on the Pirates in a quarterfinal tilt.