Highlanders Come Up Just Short in 2-1 Loss to Cascade
The Victoria Highlanders played the final game of a four game home stand on Saturday, losing 2-1 to the Cascade Surge at City Centre Stadium. Despite the loss, Victoria can take solace in that the local soccer community has welcomed them with open arms, as they once again sold out City Centre Stadium with nearly 1,500 fans.
The game looked as though it might go the Highlanders way early, as Victoria was treated to a Cascade own goal just five minutes in. But that lead was short lived, as the Surge tied the game less than 2 minutes later with a goal from Ben Sippola. The game remained tied until the 29 minute when Sippola added his second goal of the game to put Cascade up 2-1 going into the half.
The Highlanders play, which looked suspect during a large portion of the first half, was much improved throughout the second half, but the team couldn't find a way to beat the Cascade goalie. Victoria also seemed to be inspired by the aggressive play up of midfielder Jason Devenish, who received a red card in the 45th minute.
The loss now drops Victoria's record to 2-3-3 leaving them in a tie for 5th in the USL Premier Development League’s Northwest Division.
Victoria will next move on to play a pair of games on the road next weekend, first against division leader Kitsap on Friday and then in a re-match against Cascade in Oregon on Saturday. The Highlanders next home game will come against Yakima on Saturday, June 27, when Highlander officials hope fans will break the 1,500 attend marker.
