Ballard FC Completes Sweep Over Bigfoot FC With Gritty 2-1 Win on the Road

Ballard FC capped off a two-match swing against Bigfoot FC with a hard-fought 2–1 victory on Sunday evening at Tahoma High School, the club’s second win against the Maple valley side in just 48 hours.

Under cloudy skies and a light breeze moving across the field, the 5pm kickoff set the tone for a chaotic and spirited contest. The energy was palpable, not only from the two sides on the field but from the surrounding environment. Competing youth cheers clashed from opposite ends of the stands, while fans from both alliances stomped and shouted in waves throughout the match. Adding to the rhythm of the evening, music blared through the speakers during every pause in play, turning stoppages into moments of their own kind of spectacle.

Ballard FC started strong. Early in the match, Cameron Cruz nearly put the visitors ahead with a driven shot that skimmed just wide of the post. Moments later, Cruz was late to a tackle and picked up a yellow card.

Ballard created several dangerous chances in the first half, including a powerful effort from Elliot Spatz that flew just over the bar and a header from Tanner Dutra that was kept out inside the box. On the other side of the pitch, goalkeeper Stockton Short made a leaping save off a nearby deflection, and the Ballard back line stood tall during a flurry of Bigfoot attempts.

Right before the half, Ballard came close to breaking the deadlock when Elliot Spatz whipped in a cross to Kaydin Wall, who struck a rocket on goal, only to be denied by a sprawling save from the Bigfoot goalkeeper, Parker Norris. At halftime, the score remained tied at 0–0.

The breakthrough did eventually come shortly after a wave of substitutions. When Luke Hammond, Davis Mungomba, Richie Aman, and Joe Dale all came on for Tanner Dutra, Andrew Myerson, Cameron Cruz, and Kaydin Wall in the 62nd minute, the Bigfoot backline was distracted. Moments after the change, a quick throw-in from Hammond found Connor Tollan on the edge of the box. Tollan wasted no time, cleanly volleying a strike over Norris’ head and into the upper right corner to put Ballard up 1–0.

The match took a dramatic turn in the 66th minute when Bigfoot’s goalkeeper received a red card for a reckless challenge on Joe Dale just outside the box, reducing the home side to ten men. Despite being down a man, the home side kept pushing for an equalizer, which they would find.

Under heavy pressure in the 74th minute, Omar Grey lofted a pass back toward Short, who attempted to bring it under control with his chest. However, the ball broke loose. As Short and Bigfoot attacker Jack Nelson converged aggressively inside the 18-yard box to recover possession, a collision followed. The referee issued a yellow card to Short, and awarded Bigfoot a penalty. Patrick Kearney converted the ensuing penalty kick to level the score.

Despite the setback, Ballard responded with maturity and purpose. Juan Alvarez subbed on to replace Spatz and add another creative player to the attack. With the man advantage, Ballard controlled possession and field tilt as they pushed for a winner. Just eight minutes later, Ray Mendez delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Richie Aman, who found Joe Dale positioned in front of the goal. Dale had the ball stuck under his feet, but got it sorted in the nick of time to tap home the eventual winner for the visiting side. The finish marks Dale’s third goal in just two matches as the captain is truly leading from the front.

Ballard saw out the remainder of the game with poise, helped by a late substitution that brought Dylan Wojdyla on for Grey to reinforce the backline in the final minutes.

Player of the Match honors go to Connor Tollan, whose midfield composure and clinical finish gave Ballard the crucial breakthrough. Tollan’s ability to control the tempo and deliver in key moments was vital in helping continue Ballard’s perfect start to the 2025 USL League Two campaign.

With this result, Ballard FC is a perfect 3-0 on the season, building momentum as the season moves into summer and setting the stage for a strong run towards playoffs and division title.

Written by Emily Battistoni

MATCH DETAILS

FULLTIME: Ballard FC 2 – 1 Bigfoot FC

Starting XI: Short, Ketcham, Dutra, Venkat, Grey, Apolinar, Tollan, Mendez, Cruz, Wall, Spatz

Subs: Dale, Aman, Hammond, Mungomba, Alvarez, Wojdyla, Brisco, Chel Lara, Lanphier

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Connor Tollan was named player of the match for his goal and complete performance in midfield.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Ballard FC hits the road again on Thursday, May 29th to take on Midlakes United in Bellevue. Then they will finally return home on Friday, June 6th as they will host newcomers Portland Bangers FC.

Tickets for our next home match are available here!

GALLERY