Soccer: Vashon Riptide dominates visiting Chivas 9-0
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, December 6, 2016
The Vashon Riptide keeps rolling along in its quest to win the Washington State Recreational Cup. Striker Tommy Delargy can credit some of that success to a Hershey’s chocolate bar, much like the Seattle Seahawks now-retired Marshawn Lynch was powered by Skittles.
Prior to the Riptide’s match against the visiting Grays Harbor-based Chivas squad on Sunday, Delargy sent his father, Kevin, to the grocery store with an unusual request for a king-sized Hershey’s chocolate bar with almonds. The result was akin to beast mode, as Delargy scored six goals in a 9-0 victory at the VES Fields.
The fast pace of the match was aided by sunny weather that blinded players on the north side of the pitch. The Riptide, coached by Oli Christophersen, struck their initial goal within the five-minute mark. Alden Hinden-Stevenson fed Delargy a pass on the right side of the pitch, and he fired a screamer above the Chivas goalkeeper from about 10 yards away.
The Riptide defense, led by midfielder Kieran Enzian, relentlessly confounded Chivas and always seemed to be able to intercept or disrupt second or third passes. This forced Chivas to play out of the comfort zone that got them to this playoff position. Shot attempts were either taken too early or from too far away and often sailed high beyond the goal as Riptide centerbacks Tommaso Nigra and Rey Rivas controlled the area around the Riptide goal.
Ultimately, Chivas was only able to execute one on-frame shot on goal, and that was skillfully swatted away by the Riptide goalkeeper Richard Rivas.
The Riptide’s second goal came off chaotic activity following a corner kick by Hinden-Stevenson. The Riptide has been very dangerous on corner kicks this season, scoring 10 times on headers or follow-up loose ball shots within the opponent’s box. This time, a Chivas defender was not able to clear Enzien’s shot off of Hinden-Stevenson’s cross. The ball bounced around until it met Delargy’s right foot, where it eluded a diving Chivas keeper for the second goal.
Hinden-Stevenson and Delargy combined for the third goal, as the Chivas defenders could not contain the agility and speed of both players. This time the left side of the box was attacked by both Riptide players, with Delargy eluding five Chivas defenders to sink one past the goalkeep.
Chivas had no answer to the Riptide’s fullbacks, Sam Briggs and Sasha Elenko, who were able to penetrate the offensive half on overlapping runs at will.
After Vashon’s Christian White scored the fifth goal early in the second half, the spirits visibly sank in the visiting side.
Additional goals were scored by Julian White-Davis and Stuart Kraabel. The attack was benefited by energetic work of midfielders Clese Christophersen, Tristan Mentink and Ethan Davis and fullback Javid Nguyen.
Most of the Chivas players were high school graduates or community college students, whereas the Riptide players are mostly high school juniors and seniors. This outcome can only boost the confidence of the Riptide for the semi-final match that will be played on Saturday at Starfire Sports in Tukwila.
The Riptide’s visit south may now require a stopover to buy a Costco-sized package of Hershey’s chocolates with almonds.
— Michael Elenko is the father of a Riptide soccer player.
