Last minute goal ends comeback rally

by Ian Ferguson

The Blaine girls soccer team rallied in the second half of a rainy home game against Lynden, but couldn’t keep the game tied.

After falling behind by two goals in the first half, the Borderites mustered a comeback to tie the game in the second half. The Lions scored a late goal to win the September 23 matchup, sending the Borderites to 0–3 in Northwest Conference (NWC) action so far.

“It’s unfortunate when the other team scores at the last minute, and I’m sad to say we lost, but honestly it felt like a win because of the effort the girls showed to come back after being down by two goals, and the way they carried themselves,” Blaine coach Kelly Tuski said.

Lynden’s Peyton Fullner scored the first goal of the game in the 13th minute off an assist from Erin Fibig. Fullner scored again just before the half, this time with an assist from Sierra Smith.

“We were playing them pretty even, so it was tough to be down by two goals at the half,” Tuski said.

Blaine midfielder Ashley Quesada began the comeback rally in the 48th minute, taking a pass from Mackenna Magner and beating the Lynden defenders. She shot with the outside of her foot to the far side of the net.

Ten minutes later, Quesada sent what Tuski described as a “perfect through ball” to Blaine forward Bianca Rodriguez.

“Bianca [Rodriguez] fought her way down the middle to a one-on-one with the keeper and took a great shot to tie the game,” Tuski said.

Blaine was able to maintain the tie for 20 minutes of play, keeping their composure against Lynden’s surging effort. Blaine keeper Tessa Kelly, who saved 13 saves overall, saved several goals in the final minutes of the game, but eventually the Lions put one through. Lynden’s Kali Spady scored an unassisted goal in the 78th minute for the win.

Despite the loss, Tuski said she was encouraged by the never-say-die mentality displayed by her team.

“This was one of our better games,” Tuski said. “The intensity from the start was great, we came out ready to play hard and we battled for possession the whole way through.”

Blaine will take on the Squalicum Storm at Pipeline Field on Thursday, September 25. The home game starts at 4:30 p.m.