We opened up the WPASL season with a home game (for the first time since 2019) against Poskin Jets FC. The game started off fairly open with both teams getting some attacking opportunities, but it was us who struck first. Emerson Kovacs played a ball down the left flank for David Ripplinger to latch onto. He beat his man down the wing, drew in the GK, and squared across for Adam Wilson to tap in for his first goal with the club. 1-0, only eight minutes on the clock.
Less than 10 minutes from the halftime interval, Poskin would equalize through Chakouri. He received a pass and embarked on an impressive solo run, cutting through our defense and slotting past Jon Mullally in net. The scores would be level going into the break.
However, it was the Boats that came out quickest in the second half. Ripplinger continued his hot streak with another goal. Wilson collected a pass and found a streaking Ripp on the turn, fed the ball, and our #7 did the rest. No more than two minutes later, Ripp got fouled in the box and earned the penalty which he coolly dispatched. Suddenly, the Boats had a two goal advantage with 50 minutes gone.
We had our fourth goal and again it was Ripp with the finish. Wilson received the pass after checking into the midfield, turned and found Ripp streaking through the middle. Pass was made, Ripp rounded the GK and completed his hat trick with a composed finish. That is his sixth goal of the season (one in the USASA Amateur Cup, two in UPSL, and now three in WPASL). This one came in the 69th minute... nice.
The scoring wasn't done there, and unfortunately, it wasn't us who scored the last goal of the game. Poskin's Chakouri notched his brace after pouncing on a loose ball off a corner kick with about five minutes to play.
We'll take the 4-2 win with a sturdy but still reduced strength team. Our next match sees us "travel" to local rivals Union Eau Claire FC. That match is scheduled for 6 PM on Sunday, May 21. Come on out to Bollinger Fields to catch the Eau Claire Derby!