TACOMA, Wash. — With just four games remaining in their inaugural season, the West Seattle Rhodies are eying their first-ever post-season playoff berth after picking up another three points in their 2-0 road victory against the Tacoma Galaxy last weekend.
It took the Rhodies just four minutes to open the scoring, as forward Hailey Still made her way beyond her defender and connected with a corner from Andrea Leyva for her fourth goal of the campaign. The visitors continued to create dangerous scoring opportunities and control possession throughout much of the first half, but were unable to extend their lead heading into the halftime interval.
The score remained unchanged throughout the early stages of the second half, with the Galaxy doing well to fend off any attacking threat that was posed by the Rhodies. Payton Chick nearly doubled the visitor’s lead in the 55th minute after combining with Still to find herself 1v1 with Tacoma’s Amalia Chamberland, who made a decisive save to keep the hosts within one goal of the Rhodies.
The Rhodies’ efforts finally paid off, after Kolo Suliafu fired her shot from some distance past a diving Chamberland in the 70th minute. The centerback skillfully maneuvered past a Tacoma defender before unleashing her shot, after being smartly found thanks to a short corner from Leyva, who recorded her second assist of the afternoon.
Suliafu not only added her name to the scoresheet on Saturday, but she was also crucial in leading the Rhodies’ backline, alongside Iris Mattern and Sophia Hills in goal, to the visitors’ fourth clean sheet of the campaign.
Up next for the Rhodies is arguably their most highly anticipated matchup yet, as they prepare for a rematch against rivals Salmon Bay FC tomorrow at 7:00 pm. After drawing 0-0 in their first clash earlier this season, the Rhodies will look to secure all three points in their pursuit of a post-season playoff appearance. Tickets are available for purchase online, with fans also able to livestream Wednesday’s matchup HERE.
