July 9, 2010
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Thanks to midfielder Rory Agu and goalkeeper Scott Barnum, Tacoma remains right in the thick of things for the Northwest Division’s final playoff spot as the Tide FC beat the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency at home 1:0.
The win jumps Tacoma (8-3-2) from fourth place in the USL Premier Development League Western Conference’s Northwest Division into a tie for second with the Kitsap Pumas.
“I think it’s a great confidence boost for us,” said Tide FC head coach Gerry Gray.
“It’s definitely really inspiring for everybody,” said Tacoma goalkeeper Scott Barnum.
Barnum, who came into the night giving up over a goal per match on average, earned the clean sheet as a result of quick reflexes, dismissing two Vancouver (1-7-3) shots, one coming from point-blank range and the other off a penalty kick, in the first half and another shot late in the game.
“Scott’s night was tonight,” said Tacoma’s Gray.
“I didn’t want to think about it too much when he was approaching the ball,” said Barnum about keeping the penalty kick out of the back of the goal. “I decided to just try and react.”
“Definitely [an] outstanding player tonight and if he plays like that again, he’s got big things coming ahead,” said Gray.
While the netminder’s efforts kept his team in the match, it was teammate Rory Agu that got Tacoma the advantage.
“Knew I had to play it on the inside, get it on my right foot,” said Agu. “It’s good to have my first goal at home.”
Agu’s first scoring strike at home was his third overall on the season.
NOTES:
Tacoma’s starting lineup: 18 (GK) Scott Barnum, 12 (D) Tony Armitage, 15 (D) Brayton Knapp, 25 (D) Elliot Morton, 8 (D) Steve Pirotte, 13 (M) Vlad Voin, 11 (M) Daniel Gray, 6 (M) Chase Tangney, 24 (M) Chris Sanders, 10 (M) Rory Agu, 23 (F) Mark Conrad
Vancouver’s starting lineup: 1 (GK) Dan Pele, 12 (D) Brayden Gant, 24 (D) Tyrin Hutchings, 2 (D) Ethan Gage, 20 (D) La’Vere Corbin-Ong, 23 (M) Randy Edwini-Bonsu, 8 (M) Charlie Trafford, 13 (M) Kevin Cobby, 7 (M) Russel Tiebert, 25 (F) Alex Semenets, 9 (F) Toure Doudou
In the 76th minute, Tacoma’s Steve Pirotte picked up a yellow card…Tacoma’s next home match at Tumwater High School Stadium is July 10 against the Abbotsford Mariners. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at www.tacomatidesports.com and at the stadium on the night of the game.
