EUGENE, Ore. — A first half brace from the ever-tenacious Hailey Still helped the West Seattle Rhodies secure a crucial point on the road against Lane United FC, as the Rhodies moved up to third place in the Northwest Division standings.
Just before kickoff, Lane United took a moment that meant the world to the Rhodies. Lane United sporting director John Galas, who just completed a second battle with cancer, along with both head coaches on the field, presented a signed “United Against Cancer” jersey to head coach Lyndsey Patterson in honor of Rhodies’ goalkeeper, Mia Hamant, who is currently battling kidney cancer. From all at West Seattle Rhodies FC, thank you to Lane United and to everyone who has shown love for Mia. She’s facing this fight with incredible strength and grace, and she’s not doing it alone.
Wednesday’s contest was evenly-matched throughout the first half, with each team generating opportunities on goal while exchanging spells of possession. The contest became more physical as it wore on, with the first yellow card of the match coming in the 34th minute for Lane United’s Lexis Canyete-Asato. Her challenge provided an opportunity for Still to put a free kick on frame, which was then comfortably corralled by Mya Sanchez in goal for the Reds.
With about five minutes remaining in the half, the hosts were able to find an equalizer against the run of play through Rin Choi, who pounced on a misplaced touch from center back Violet Rademacher before chipping her shot past Sierra Sonko in net for the Rhodies. Despite the setback and with the first half winding down to a close, Still was able to restore the Rhodies’ lead with another delicately placed header into the back of the net, this time thanks to a cross from Payton Chick.
Despite dominating the first half with nine shots to Lane’s three, it was the hosts who started the second half on the strong foot, controlling possession while nearly finding the equalizer. Looking to regain their footing in the contest, Still came close to completing the hat trick and further extending the Rhodies’ lead in the 61st minute, but saw her shot deflected by a Lane defender.
With the contest seeming deemed to end in a hard-fought win for the Rhodies, Lane was again able to find an equalizer, with a goal in the 82nd minute thanks to a wonder strike from Alyssa White, who saw her shot soar past Sonko from nearly 25 yards away from goal.
The Rhodies will look to respond with a win at home this Sunday, June 8th, as they host the Tacoma Galaxy at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available and can be purchased HERE.
