The Grays Harbor Gulls Football Club fell behind early an never recovered en route to a 4-1 season-ending loss to Steel United FC on Sunday at Stewart Field in Aberdeen.

Entering the game tied with Steel United and needing a win to earn a spot in the postseason, the Gulls fell behind early and never fully recovered.

Steel (7-3 overall) jumped on the Gulls early when Alex Welster scored off an assist from Derek “El Tigre” Johnson in the second minute of the game.

Steel United doubled its lead when Holden Burchett scored off a Welster feed in the 18th minute.

The Gulls’ best chance to cut into the lead came with just under 10 minutes left in the first half, when Montesano product Mateo Sanchez sent a shot from 25-yards out that bounced off the far post and dangerously into no-man’s land in front of the Steel United net.

But no Gull was there to follow the play as the ball was corralled by the Steel United keeper, keeping the game at 2-0 entering halftime.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Grays Harbor Gulls midfielder Mateo Sanchez (6) gets a head on the ball during a 4-1 loss to Steel United FC on Sunday in Aberdeen.

“It’s always unfortunate when you let two goals go in the first 10 minutes,” Gulls head coach Drew Grannemann said. “I think we covered well and were able to build possession a little bit. We did create some opportunities. I think our biggest issue was when Steel gave us chances, we didn’t capitalize on those. Most of the first half, we did a good job dominating possession and getting back on counter-attacks. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t find the back of the net even after we were creating opportunities.”

Steel got the all-important third goal when Hurter controlled the ball inside the Gulls penalty area then sent a parallel pass to Johnson, who slotted a shot inside the far post less than a minute into the second half.

Steel added to its lead when Burchett sent a cross to Micah Armstrong on a breakaway for a 4-0 lead in the 59th minute.

Grays Harbor (6-4) broke the shutout bid in the final minute of the game when midfielder Roman Bedolla got the ball to former Hoquiam standout Jonathan Molina, who put a shot into the net despite being surrounded by Steel United defenders.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Grays Harbor Gulls forward Jonathan Molina, right, dribbles up the sideline against Steel United defenders during a 4-1 loss on Sunday in Aberdeen.

With the loss, the Gulls finish third in the Cascadia Premier 2 Pacific Division and were one spot away from playing for a chance to be promoted to the league’s upper division.

Grannemann said he is proud of how his players took it upon themselves to improve the team’s performance this past season.

“We talked about it in the beginning of this season. … The focus of this year was personal responsibility,” he said. “That meant it’s not my club. … We area a community-owned soccer club. It’s up to the players on the field and the guys that suit up every weekend to take that in and make it mean something, not only to the players, but to the fans and supporters. That starts with personal responsibility and taking ownership of their tiny little slice of it. I think our guys did a really great job of finding a renewed dedication (after the COVID years). So the biggest thing we tried to emphasize this year was to re-find that purpose. Re-find why you chose to play for us and I think they did a great job.”

Grannemann added players such as Juanito Lopez, who scored four goals this season after being out for 18 months due to an Achillies injury, and Connor Darras, who had four goals and three assists after returning from ACL surgery, typified that mentality.

The veteran coach who has helmed the Gulls program since its inception also thanked the fans and local community for their continued support of the program.

“We’re so thankful for five years of not only fan support but local support and support from local business owners that kept us afloat, kept us running and grow to new heights,” he said. “Hopefully from here, we are able to live up to the expectations we set for ourselves and live up to what the community wants us to do, and that’s play competitive soccer and be a representative of the community at large. It just wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Steel United FC 2 2 – 4

Grays Harbor Gulls FC 0 1 – 1

Scoring

First half – 1, Steel United, Welster (Johnson), 2nd minute. 2, Steel United, Burchett (Welster), 18th minute.

Second half – 3, Steel United, Johnson (Hurter), 41st minute. 4, Steel United, Armstrong (Burchett), 59th minute. 5, Grays Harbor, Molina (Bedolla), 79th minute.