Highline Men’s Soccer Captures Title with 4-3 Thrilling Win over Whatcom
PHOTOS | BRACKET
TUKWILA, Wash. – The Highline men's soccer team reigned supreme on Sunday afternoon, defeating Whatcom 4-3 at Starfire Stadium to earn the NWAC Men's Soccer Championship in a thriller in front of a raucous crowd.
Both teams were explosive offensively on the day with neither team leading by more than one goal throughout. Highline responded to deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 while Whatcom tied the score up after trailing 3-2 in the second half.
Ultimately, the game came down to the very end, with Highline's Alex Velasco scoring the game-winning goal in the 89th minute. Velasco, who came in off the bench to play 24 minutes for the Thunderbirds, received a header pass in the box from Jesus Jeronimo, and put just enough on the right-footed shot to squeeze it past a diving Michael Herrera of Whatcom. Velasco was name the tournament's MVP after the game-winning goal.
"That was about as good of a game as it gets in a championship," said head coach Steve Mohn. "I hope the fans got their money's worth today."
The Thunderbirds (14-5) claimed their fourth NWAC Men's Soccer Championship, and the third under Mohn. They last won in 2017, also winning in 2014, and 2004 when Mohn was a player.
"It doesn't get much better than winning a championship," said Mohn. "This one was a wild game. It never really gets old winning a championship."
Whatcom (15-3-1) has been a consistent force in the NWAC the last four seasons played, finishing as the runner-up in 2017 and 2018.
Sunday's championship began quickly as NWAC leading scorer Flavio Espinoza deposited his 23rd goal of the year in the 17th minute off a Highline turnover. He was assisted by Josh Wong, who also led the NWAC with 19 this year.
It didn't take long for Highline to respond, tying the game just 40 seconds later on a penalty kick goal by Jesus Jeronimo. The teams traded goals to end the half, with Nate Balauro reclaiming Whatcom's lead on a header, again assisted by Wong on a long free kick, in the 26th minute. Wyatt Lopez tied things up before halftime on rocket shot in extra time, assisted by Velasco after an Orca turnover.
The Thunderbirds got their first lead of the game in the 59th minute as Kolton Lerwick corralled a rebound after an initial great save by Herrera. Less than five minutes later, we had another tie score as Espinoza sent one into the box that bounced off a Highline defender and right to the foot of Cobe Williams, who buried it into the net. After some discussion with the officials, the goal stood.
Both teams battled the remaining 30 minutes until Velasco's ultimate game-winner put the game away and sent the Thunderbirds into a frenzy.
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Contact: Iain Dexter; idexter@clark.edu