HS Soccer: Olympia knocks off Union 2-1 in a tight contest

9/19/2024

(Olympia, WA) The Olympia Bears hosted the Union Titans in a non-league match with both teams looking for solid competition as they ramp up for their regular seasons. Both teams got exactly that with a hard fought match that came down to a few plays.

Olympia withstood an early flurry by the Titans including a goal that was called back for an offsides. Olympia struck quickly after playing back defensively as Malia Satre knocked in the opening goal in the 16th off a beautiful assist from Avery Draper. The 1-0 score would hold up to halftime.

After the break the 2 teams battled hard but in the 60th minute Union batted the ball around in front of the Beards goal and Kenadie Bibbens eventually knocked the loose ball past Bears keeper Esther Pearson for the equalizer making it 1-1.

The Bears had upped their offensive pressure and after a foul was called Olympia lined up a shot just inside the 30 yard line and Sammi Engelken launched a perfect shot just inside the goal box and the ball bounced up right to Celeste Wilhelm who knocked it past Titans keeper Sadie Warden for the go ahead and eventual winning goal.

Warden gave up the 2 goals but had 5 saves keeping the Titans in the match. Pearson knocked down 6 shots for Olympia giving up just the 1 score protrcting the lead. Kendra Browse came in late to finish the goal keeping for Olympia.

Our Thorbeckes fitness centers MVP went to Olympia’s Sammi Engelken for her shut down defense and she also had the assist on the game winning goal. Olympia improves to 3-2 on the season while Union drops to 4-2-1. The Bears begin SPSL 4A league play next Tuesday at Puyallup. Union is off until next weekend when they travel to Idaho for a pair of non-league matches.

To watch the replay of the full match click on this link to the NFHS Network (Subscription required)

For more on this match watch our ESN crew’s postgame show for a full re-cap and scoring summary.