PORT ANGELES — Peninsula’s Cesar Gervacio made history at Sigmar Field, using both his feet and his head to score a spectacular flurry of second-half goals, tying the school record with five goals in one match in a 5-0 men’s soccer victory over Shoreline.
Gervacio, a freshman from San Jose, Calif., matched the mark set by Alex Martinez against Pierce in 2013. Only a crossbar and a couple of solid saves by the Dolphins goalie prevented Gervacio from scoring seven or even more goals as a couple of other his shots came within a whisker of going in.
After the game, Gervacio said he had never had a game like that at any level. He said he felt blessed after the record-tying game and he was quick to give credit to his teammates for helping to set up his goals.
“If it wasn’t for my team, we wouldn’t have scored five goals,” he said.
The Wednesday victory puts the men at 6-0 atop the Northwest Athletic Conference Northern Division and 8-0-1 overall. They are ranked No. 1 in the NWAC.
Gervacio came into the match with just one goal. He is now the team’s leading goal scorer.
Pirates coach Cale Rodriguez said Gervacio has had a rough start this season and has missed some games due to injuries and eligibility, but is starting to show his potential.
“It’s nice to see [Gervacio] get the goals he deserved. People are starting to see who the real Cesar is,” he said.
While Peninsula dominated, outshooting the Dolphins 17-3, the Pirates actually got off to a bit of a slow start, taking just a 1-0 lead into the half. Though the Pirates controlled much of the action, their ball possession didn’t create a ton of scoring chances early. Shoreline’s goalie Dean Bartlett was injured early in the game, forcing the Dolphins to use a defender, Steven Moseley, in goal.
Gervacio got his first goal on a rebound after a corner kick 28 minutes into the match. Miguel Valderrama was credited with an assist. The Pirates came very close to scoring again on a header by Saul Araiza that forced a good save.
In the second half, Gervacio and his teammates simply exploded, completely dominating the Dolphins. The Pirates had a flurry of scoring chances and the Dolphins were lucky they didn’t reach double digits in goals.
Gervacio’s first goal of the half came at the 50-minute mark on a great pass by Kevin Medina. He nearly scored again on a header minutes later on a corner kick, then hit a crossbar on another shot. Finally in the 66th minute, he picked up his third goal on a great run down the right wing by Joey Holliman. Holliman made a perfect cross to a wide-open Gervacio, who knocked it in.
At the 76th minute, Gervacio scored on a header, then he scored again six minutes later with an assist from Henry Barnabe. He came within inches of scoring a sixth time at the 86-minute mark.
Rodriguez said the team “simply executed the things we do in training” in the dominating win. The team’s possession and ball control was much sharper in the second half, he said.
Seeing a team that can always improve, he said the Pirates could “get off to a better start.”
Pirates goalie Brannon Dwyer wasn’t particularly busy, but he did have one excellent diving save. Juan Carrillo also picked up an assist. The Pirates have yet to surrender a goal in North division play. Their next game is at home at 2 p.m. Saturday against Everett.
Women’s Peninsula 3, Shoreline 0
The Pirate women, ranked No. 3 in the Northwest Athletic Conference and No. 20 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division I Junior College Poll, beat Shoreline 3-0, improving to 6-0 in conference play and 7-1-1 overall. They have not surrendered a goal in the North Division in six matches.
The Pirates continue to lead the NWAC in defense, giving up only four goals in nine matches.
Goalkeeper Akari Hoshino earned her fourth solo shutout.
Ellie Small, who leads the Pirates in goals with six, sparked the offense with a pair of goals. She scored in the 29th and 78th minutes, assisted by Marriah Perez and Maddy Parton. Cierra Hamilton had Peninsula’s other goal in the 41st minute, assisted by Kelly Kevershan, who leads the Pirates in assists with five.
Small is now fourth in goals scored in Peninsula women’s soccer history.
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Sports editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or sports@peninsuladailynews.com.
