Foster Bulldog Masse Gashay was the hero on the day after finding the net on a penalty kick in overtime after a 0-0 deadlock in the preceding 80 minutes.

If you closed your eyes his teammate’s and supporter’s cheers of “Masse, Masse!” could have been mistaken for “Messi, Messi!” (Argentine International considered by most to be the best player in the world).

First Half
Port Angeles came out strong in the first half, creating more offensive opportunities and reducing Foster to counterattack soccer with a long ball and a prayer. Bulldog forward Omar Abdullahi caused nightmares for Port Angeles’ backline when the ball found his feet, but he was unable to convert a goal.

Adbullahi was on the receiving end of many fouls throughout the game which cut his opportunities short, frustrating defenders with his ankle-buckling cutbacks and snap speed. That frustration would come back to haunt Port Angeles late in the game.

Port Angeles forward Anthony Brandon was Abdullahi’s counterpoint on the opposite end, threatening Foster’s goal several times but falling short of finding the net.

Second Half
Foster turned the tables on possession in the second half, working the ball around more and getting far more pressure on the Port Angeles goalie than in the first half.

Port Angeles forward Brandon was plagued by leg cramps and had to leave the field twice for several minutes to recover, hindering their offensive attack.

There were chances for both sides but regulation time ended with a 0-0 draw.

Overtime
Although it seemed likely this game would go to penalty kicks like Tyee’s game a few days earlier, it turned out not to be so.

Foster nearly scored at the onset of the first (of two) five minute overtime periods when Kaelum Poulson placed a perfect corner kick across the mouth of Port Angeles’ goal. Several Foster players were in position to tap it in but the ball made it through the danger zone untouched.

With 39 seconds left in the period the ball found itself bouncing dangerously inside the Port Angeles 18-yard box. Adbullahi got to the erratic ball and as he attempted to control it to the turf to turn and shoot a Port Angeles defender put his boot in the air, miscalculated and swung into Adbullahi’s ribs, crumpling him to the ground. The referee called it a foul, giving the Bulldog’s the chance to take the game away in the final seconds.

Masse Gashay was charged with taking the high pressure shot to seal the game. He stepped back, rushed forward and went with placement over power, sidefooting the ball into the lower right corner, out of reach of Port Angeles’ outstretched keeper (who chose correctly on his dive.) With sudden death overtime the rule, Foster took the win with a final of 1-0.

Foster coach Matt Shields felt for his competition in the end, saying “It’s tough to lose that way,” adding it could have just as easily been them walking away in defeat.

Foster’s next game in the 2A tournament will be next Tuesday (May 17), with the time, location and opponent still up in the air.