Pedersen Powers Bangers Past West Seattle Junction with Hat Trick Heroics
Portland, OR — In a match that felt like a turning point for the season, the Portland Bangers returned home and delivered an emphatic 4–2 victory over West Seattle Junction on Sunday afternoon at Hilken Community Stadium on the campus of UO Portland. Backed by a sensational first-half hat trick from Drew Pedersen, the Bangers not only secured three critical points in the USL2 Northwest Division standings but also snapped a scoring drought that had only seen one goal in the past six games. This was a must-win situation, and the Bangers delivered in a big way with their first-ever home victory.
The breakthrough came early in the first half, and it arrived through the boot of Pedersen. Only 4’ in the game, Pedersen, who has been battling injuries thourghout this season, made his impact with a beautifully cointrolled ball with his right foot and then while the ball was still in the air, he sweetly volleyed it from the edge of the six yard box on the right side into the back of the net for the first Portland Bangers goal at home this year. Jeppe provided the assist with a lofted ball, splitting the two CBs of West Seattle, and Pedersen did the rest.
Portland was on the front foot early, and the pressure never relented, with a series of chances, the West Seattle defense was left suffocated by the relentless opportunities that the Bangers were creating. Just 20 minutes later, Lukas Fisher darted into the half-space to receive a ball on the half-turn from Kolade Salaudeen, where he was able to find a waiting Pedersen at the top of the box, and once again, Pedersen found himself in a good goal-scoring opportunity with lots of work to do. A stunning right-footed curler from the Gonzaga Bulldog star striker left the keeper leaping and coming up with air. Pedersen found the net for the second time, and the Bangers were ROLLING at home.
Fisher broke through the West Seattle defense 16 minutes later with a 2-on-3 counterattack. With Jeppe on a dead sprint beside him, a cleverly weighted ball set the midfielder between the defenders, and down Jeppe went. A badly timed tackle led to a penalty kick! With his hat trick looming, calm as can be, Pedersen stepped up to the spot. With a stutter-step run-up, Drew Pedersen sent the West Seattle goalkeeper reaching for ghosts, and the man of the hour netted his third of the day, and it hadn’t even reached halftime yet.
The teams went into the break with a 3-0 Portland lead, and the Bangers were firmly in control. Only one shot from the visiting team in the first half gave Portland the confidence and momentum heading into the second half of action.
With a flurry of substitutions from head coach Jorge Villafaña, and a 73’ goal from West Seattle’s Damoni McKenna, the Bangers' momentum looked to be fading. That was until newcomer Sean McDowd intercepted the throughball of the Junctions attacker with a powerful clearing header that found a waiting Kubrakov. The substitute linked up with another substitute, Andrew Lovell, on a bit of a fortunate bounce off a defender. Lovell ran in front of the oncoming goalkeeper and poked the ball in the back of the net for the Bangers' fourth goal of the game.
A late goal for West Seattle made the final scoreboard read 4–2, which marks Portland’s most complete performance in recent memory. Defensively organized, sharp in transition, and most importantly, ruthless in front of the goal. But the story of the day belonged to Drew Pedersen. His hat trick not only propelled Portland to a much-needed win but also reignited belief within the locker room and in the stands. For a club that had been searching for answers in the final third, Pedersen had all of them and more.
With the win, Portland climbs in the Northwest Division table and now turns its focus to a pivotal stretch of home fixtures. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, the Bangers are back—and with Pedersen leading the line, they may be just getting started.
Match Timeline: Portland Bangers 4 – 2 West Seattle Junction
First Half
4’ – ⚽ Goal: Drew Pedersen (Portland Bangers)
4’ – 🎯 Assist: Oliver Jeppe (Portland Bangers)
24’ – ⚽ Goal: Drew Pedersen (Portland Bangers)
24’ – 🎯 Assist: Lukas Fisher (Portland Bangers)
38’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Oliver Jeppe (Portland Bangers)
41’ – ⚽ Goal: Drew Pedersen (Portland Bangers)
Second Half
61’ – 🔁 Substitution: Miller enters for Portland
61’ – 🔁 Substitution: Klein enters for Portland
61’ – 🔁 Substitution: Sundby enters for Portland
67’ – 🟨 Yellow Card: Vance Sheffield (Portland Bangers)
73’ – ⚽ Goal: Damoni McKenna (West Seattle Junction)
75’ – 🔁 Substitution: Kubrakov enters for Portland
80’ – ⚽ Goal: Andrew Lovell (Portland Bangers)
80’ – 🎯 Assist: Volodymyr Kubrakov (Portland Bangers)
85’ – 🔁 Substitution: Dubon enters for Portland
90’ – ⚽ Goal: Alexander Hristov (West Seattle Junction)
Starting XI – Portland Bangers
GK: Norris
Defenders: McClellan, Dunne, McDowd, Baures
Midfielders: Salaudeen, Lopez, Jeppe
Forwards: Sheffield, Fisher, Pedersen
Substitutes Used:
Fisher (45’), Miller (61’), Klein (61’), Sundby (61’), Kubrakov (75’), Dubon (85’)
Unused Subs: Glock, Villanueva, Perez-Hernandez
