Sequim FC finishes spring season in the sun

On the hottest day of the year so far, Sequim FC’s spring season came to a close with players unsure who exactly won the league title.

Pura Vida (18 points) and Bandidos (15 points) faced off on June 12 at the Albert Haller Playfields.

See more pictures here.

Bandidos struck first about 15 minutes in the first half before Pura Vida evened the score soon thereafter.

Manuel Gonzalez put the Bandidos up 2-1 after he recovered his own shot that bounced off the goalie to eke in a score before halftime. Shortly into the second half, Pura Vida’s Nathan Funston evened the score with a goal to the left side of the goal.

However, Bandidos’ Josiah Urquia put them ahead for good with a hard drive to go up 3-2 a few minutes after Funston’s goal. Sergio Yanez help the Bandidos with another score to win the championship, 4-2.

Both Bandidos and Pura Vida finished the season at 18 points but players afterward wondered if there should be penalty kicks to determine a winner. However, with temperatures unrelenting despite the sun going down, some players admitted to being too tired and sweaty to continue.

Pura Vida players conceded that Bandidos “won fair and square” while some Bandidos players seemed OK with a tie.

Either way, players seemed to agree it was a fun season.

Members of the Bandidos and Pura Vida gather for a photo after the championship game that saw the Bandidos win 4-2. However, both teams tied for points with 18 apiece on the season. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Members of the Bandidos and Pura Vida gather for a photo after the championship game that saw the Bandidos win 4-2. However, both teams tied for points with 18 apiece on the season. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Summer season set

The spring season was a return to form for Sequim FC after a one-year hiatus from league play.

Five co-ed teams with players ages 16-and-up began 11-on-11 play in April; the league was formerly eight-on-eight.

Sequim FC was founded in the fall of 2012 and league play began in spring 2013.

Summer League is now open to individuals and teams with eight regular season games in two divisions (silver, gold). Games are played Sunday afternoons at the Albert Haller Playfields from June 30-Aug. 25, except for Aug. 4 during the Dungeness Cup.

For teams, no more than 20 percent of players can be 16-18 due to insurance, and at lease one female player must be on the field at a time. Cost is $40 per player prior to June 24, and $48 afterward.

To register, visit www.sequim fc.net or events.teamsnap.com/ organizations/3566.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

Bandidos’ Sergio Yanez of Sequim drives past members of Pura Vida during Sequim FC’s championship game on June 12 at the Albert Haller Playfields. Yanez scored the final goal of the day to help the Bandidos win 4-2. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Bandidos’ Sergio Yanez of Sequim drives past members of Pura Vida during Sequim FC’s championship game on June 12 at the Albert Haller Playfields. Yanez scored the final goal of the day to help the Bandidos win 4-2. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash