PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WSB

West Seattle Junction FC, the pre-pro soccer team in its second season, played its final home match of the year last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, and it was a thriller. Team owner Jessica Pierce shares the highlights, to go with our first-half photos from WSB contributing photojournalist Dave Gershgorn:

(Forward Alex Mejia waves as the team is introduced before the match)

Down 0-3 at the half, Coach Oman made some front line change-ups, adding in Joschi Schelb from Rutgers and Mani Diop, defender at UW.

Schelb quickly fueled the fire adding a point to the board! West Seattle fans and the drum line pounding in the stands were all on their feet.

From the 70th minute on, Diop delivered goals 2 & 3 to tie up the game, including a brilliant header off a corner. Schelb with the winning goal with a key assist by Will Maschmedt in the 87th minute, making it 4-3. With 6 minutes of stoppage added, the crowd remained on their feet until that final whistle blew.

West Seattle loves this tenacious team and we love West Seattle! The support you’ve all shown us in year 2 has been incredible! We can’t wait for year 3!

Other game scenes:

Junction FC wraps up the season Friday night on the road vs. FC Olympia. … One more note from the organization, if you have a young player in the household:

The Rhodies & Junction FC host a youth player clinic from 10 am-12 pm on Saturday at Delridge playfields. Visit the Junction FC website to sign up and train with the team & staff!

The clinic is $65 and geared for (updated) U8 through U15 age groups.