Canaan Moore’s Stunner Sends Union to District Title Game in an Instant Classic

5/13/2025

SUMNER, WASH

Canaan Moore propelled the Union Titans to the District 3/4 Championship Game with a long range overtime winner in the 89th minute. The goal served as a mic drop to a wild 5-4 district semifinal.

Union scored goals in regulation from Max Moscovciuc, Horlando Tapia-Abundiz, Elijah Bunda, and Canaan Moore, before the overtime winner. Puyallup saw Zack Robertson score a hat trick and chip in for an assist on a goal from Adrian Macias.

The buildup resonated with the storylines in play. Union came into Sunset Stadium winners of the last seven in a row, including a 2-0 victory last Saturday against Sumner to book a spot in state. Puyallup came into the evening regular season champions of the SPSL and the #1 RPI team in the State. The Vikings survived a penalty shootout to defeat Camas off a winner from Braylon Bowie. The semifinal served as a rematch of the 2022 district championship won by Puyallup with a shootout score of a whopping 13-12.

Union started Jesus Gutierrez in goal, while Puyallup tabbed Peyton Lewis for the start.

The Titans scored first when Max Moscovciuc’s long shot found the back of the net 13 minutes in. The lead did not last long, however. Five minutes later, Puyallup’s Curren Caufield set up Zack Robertson to even the match at one. After Puyallup’s, Coleman Farmer got tripped in the 18 yard box, Robertson tallied another goal from the penalty spot in the 26th minute. The goal set the Puyallup record for most goals in a single season with 28. Union’s quick strike offense responded. A pass from Union’s Marco Abad found Horlando Tapia-Abundiz evening the match in the 29th minute. Three minutes later, David Muntean chiseled a pass that set up Elijah Bunda to give Union the lead. The Titans took a 3-2 lead to the dressing room.

The second half began in the same fashion the roller coaster of the first half left off. Braylon Bowie got fouled in the penalty area. Robertson buried a hat trick goal in the 50th minute, and the match again evened up. A free kick from outside of the penalty area can be an inviting opportunity for any team with a potent striker. Puyallup’s know that full well with Zack Robertson. Union’s Canaan Moore bended a free kick top shelf by second half Puyallup keeper Alexis Cruz-Hernandez to give Union the lead with 16 minutes left in regulation. In a game with so many momentum swings, it was only fitting, Puyallup wrote another chapter. Robertson sitting on a hat trick, this time set up Adrian Macias with four minutes left in regulation to tie the game for Puyallup. A district title game berth would have to be won in overtime.

Shot volume can go a long way into deciding who wins or loses. And some cases the shots may not be the most glamorous. In the dying minutes of the second overtime period. Canaan Moore’s 35 yard shot sprung through the catching gloves of Cruz-Hernandez and in for the winning goal. The overtime stunner from Moore bookended a dramatic 5-4 overtime win for Union, booking their ticket to the District Title game.

Our Thorbeckes MVP of the Match was Canaan Moore with his two goals including the overtime winner.

Union with the win faces Tahoma in the District Championship Game Thursday night from Federal Way Memorial Stadium at 7:30. A game to be broadcasted on ESN.

If you want to catch the full broadcast of the wild game Click Here (Subscription Required).

Included is our postgame interview with our Game MVP Canaan Moore and highlights from the game.

ESN Interviews Canaan Moore after OT Winner