Aberdeen outlasted W.F. West for a key penalty-kick shootout victory on Tuesday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.
Missing several players due to various illnesses and injuries, the Bobcats (6-1-1 overall, 5-1 2A Evergreen) and Bearcats (9-5, 5-1) played an even, midfield-centric game in the first half, with neither team threatening deep into opposing territory.
In the second half, the Bobcats controlled the pitch and pace of play, creating multiple scoring chances into W.F. West's final third, but were unable to put the ball in the back of the net as the game headed to overtime locked in a scoreless tie.
In extra time, Aberdeen had a shot ring off the crossbar as one of several dangerous Bobcats chances that were slightly off target.
With the game going to a penalty-kick shootout, Aberdeen's Daniel Guzman, Alan Avalos, Edwin Quintana, Julian Garcia and Gil Lopez each converted their PKs while Bobcats goal keeper Antonio Granados blocked WF West's third opportunity to secure the 5-4 shootout victory.
"It was a close game, played physically but fairly, and I thought we did a nice job of winning the ball, defending and creating scoring chances against a very strong team," Aberdeen head coach Larry Fleming said.
Fleming cited Avalos, Logan Sias, Hugo Garcia, Isaiah Johnson and Gio Castillo for playing "outstanding defense" and Quintana for his performance at the midfield.
The Bobcats victory sets up a key league matchup against first-place Tumwater at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Tumwater.
W.F. West hits the road to Shelton for an EvCo matchup at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Aberdeen's junior varsity team tied WF West 1-1. Happy Cheema scored off an assist from Angel Mendez for the Aberdeen goal.
