The Fresno Fuego and San Fernando Valley Quakes were eliminated from the PDL Playoffs today in the first round.

The Tacoma Tide and Fuego squared off at 7:30 pm in Fresno in a rematch of last years playoffs when the Fuego defeated the Tide 4-1.  This year was a different story.

Tide forward and team captain Rory Agu was looking forward to coming in to Fresno and avenging last year's loss.  Agu, who had 11 goals and 3 assists for the season did not score in the match, but he got his satisfaction.  The first goal came just 19 minutes into the match with a long throw in from Dennis Sanchez to Daniel Scott. Scott out leaped the Fuego defenders to knock the ball up into the air, and then got up over everyone a second time, to knock it into the net.

The Fuego brought the heat throughout the game, and stepped it up in the second half, getting off eight shots, but Tide keeper Jordan Jennings only needed to make one save.  The Tide defended well, and took their opportunities when they could.  In the 76th minute Tide forward Spencer Schomaker got the ball at his feet, turned, made a few cuts to defeat the Fuego defense, and slotted the ball past keeper Ryan Kenny his 10th goal on the year.

The Tide's final goal came off a Fuego corner kick when all 10 Fuego players were up for the corner, and Chase Tangney found himself alone on his own half to receive an onside pass from the clear. He took the ball to the Fuego box and blasted the ball into the net to secure the 3-0 win.

The Quakes faced the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency at 4:30 pm also in Fresno.  With temperatures hitting 102 degrees, this match was a tough one as the teams battled each other and the heat. 

San Fernando Valley thought they had the match in the 82nd minute when Ferguson Agwa put the ball in the net for his 4th goal of the season.  As time reached regulation, their hopes were high, but the game was leveled in the 90th minute when Randy Edwini-Bonsu put the ball in the net for his 10th goal of the season.

The Whitecaps finished off their victory in overtime with two more goals when Edwini-Bonsu got his second of the match in the 110th minute, followed by the Whitecaps third goal from Drew Russell in the 116th minute.

Sunday, July 27th Tacoma will face off against the Whitecaps in Fresno at 7:00 pm.

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