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Blaine, Ferndale battle to scoreless draw

Borderites outshot Golden Eagles 7-4; each team drew 2 yellow cards

Ferndale’s Ruslan Yelfimov dives over Blaine goalkeeper Kael Evinger April 15 after a shot on goal in the second half in Blaine. The Golden Eagles and Borderites battled to a 0-0 tie.
Ferndale’s Ruslan Yelfimov dives over Blaine goalkeeper Kael Evinger April 15 after a shot on goal in the second half in Blaine. The Golden Eagles and Borderites battled to a 0-0 tie. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
By Connor J. Benintendi Sports Editor

BLAINE — Ferndale and Blaine boys soccer failed to net any goals in a scoreless non-league draw Saturday afternoon at Blaine High School.

Each team had its chances, but staunch defense on both ends interrupted shot attempts. Both groups combined for just 11 shots on goal in the match.

The most impactful development coming out of the game was the dealing of four yellow cards — two to each team, all in the second half.

It was clear both teams were determined to score the match’s deciding goal, no matter the physical cost.

“I think we were frustrated in the second half by them. They did a good job keeping us under pressure,” Ferndale coach Rigel Weis said. “We played into it a little bit.”

Blaine coach Gio Quesada was happy with his team’s intensity, and noted the physical play of the Borderites team is something he has been actively working to instill in them.

“Ferndale is a bigger school,” Quesada added. “For my kids, playing with intensity, that was the goal today.”

photo  Ferndale’s Bryce McManus (7) is given a yellow card, one of four handed out during the match. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Despite being Class 3A while Blaine is 1A, Ferndale entered the game as a potential underdog with its 2-7 overall record to the Borderites’ 6-1-1 resume. The teams play different opponents as a result of school size, which is important to note.

Weis said the draw didn’t feel like a win for his team, no matter the records entering the game.


“It’s been a difficult run, and we’re just trying to improve each day and trying to make sure that we get better,” Weis said. “I don’t know if a draw is a disappointment, but I feel like maybe a little bit for us.”

Blaine seemed to have the upper hand in the first half, outshooting Ferndale 5-2 over the game’s first 40 minutes. Golden Eagles sophomore goalkeeper Josh Ruble did a sound job in the net, saving two of them.

The second half featured far more action near midfield, with each team firing just two shots. 

Borderites senior forward Alessandro Rangel picked up the first yellow card in the 50th minute when he contacted Ruble inside the box, as the only netted goal of the game was waived off.

photo  Ferndale goalie Josh Ruble gets his hands on a shot on goal. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)  

Ferndale sophomore defender Bryce McManus and junior defender Spencer Richins picked up yellow cards in the second half; Blaine senior forward Joel Barrientos-Estrada also drew one in the 78th minute.

“It’s part of the sport,” Quesada said of the game’s physical play.

Blaine is now 6-1-2 following the draw (4-0 Northwest Conference) while Ferndale took its first tie of the season, moving to 2-7-1 (2-5 NWC) on the year.

“I’m really happy with how they played,” Quesada said. “It was intense on both sides … Sometimes people think 0-0 is no fun — sometimes 0-0 is fun.”

The Borderites will host Meridian (6-2-3, 2-1 NWC) at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20. 

Anacortes (2-4-3, 0-3-1 NWC) will travel to Ferndale at 4 p.m. Monday, April 17, for a match with the Golden Eagles at Phillips 66 Soccer Park.

“I know we have the talent, we’ve just got to put it together,” Weis said. “We’re maybe not gelling as much as we should be right now.”

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