SEATTLE, Wash. — On the back of another outstanding team performance, the West Seattle Rhodies concluded their inaugural USL W League season with a convincing 2-0 win against Bigfoot FC. The Rhodies, who ended the year with a winning record of 6-2-2, finished just two points behind Northwest Division winners FC Olympia and will be on the hunt for the division crown and a place in the playoffs in 2026.
Murphy Sheaff was busy in goal for Bigfoot early in the contest, with the hosts raining fire on the opposition’s goal with a pair of early shots from Hailey Still and Andrea Leyva in the opening minutes. The Rhodies, who looked calm in possession, continued to look dangerous going forward, with Kalea Eichenberger and Elina Seppala each coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute.
The Rhodies were eventually able to break down Bigfoot’s stubborn defense, as defender Kolo Suliafu picked out Still with an excellently played ball over the top in the 27th minute. The forward brought the ball down skillfully and placed her shot past Sheaff in what would go on to be the match winner.
Despite their one-goal advantage, the Rhodies looked determined to put the contest beyond doubt. Still was nearly able to double her tally for the day in the 40th minute, but saw her chance go awry after she was shielded off the ball by defender Jazmin Brown. Eichenberger, who was a constant threat all afternoon, also had a chance to extend the hosts’ lead in the 41st minute after skillfully making her way past a pair of Bigfoot defenders, but saw her shot go just wide.
It didn’t take too much longer for the Rhodies to eventually double their lead, as the hosts came out firing in the early stages of the second half and found their second of the afternoon through Eichenberger. The University of Washington forward linked up with her college teammate Leyva, and delicately placed her headed effort into the far corner past Sheaff.
It continued to be an entertaining afternoon for the Thistle Street Faithful, who watched on as the Rhodies nearly added two more goals on the day, but had them both called back by the referee.
As the contest came to a close, and after nearly securing a spot in the playoffs for the first time in club history, fans were left excited and hopeful for what the club could accomplish in the years to come. To stay up to date with the latest Rhodies’ news, make sure to check out @ws_rhodiesfc on Instagram, or click HERE to subscribe to the club’s email newsletter.
