TUKWILA — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team shutout Highline 3-0 to claim its fifth consecutive NWAACC West Division championship.
Angel Guerra recorded his conference-leading ninth shutout, and Ash Apollon scored two goals for the Pirates.
The divisional championship, Peninsula’s sixth in seven years, guarantees the Pirates a home quarterfinal playoff game on Nov. 9.
Peninsula took an early lead over the second-ranked Thunderbirds with a fourth-minute goal by Apollon off an assist by Alex Martinez.
The score remained 1-0
for the remainder of the
opening half.
Martinez made it 2-0 with his NWAACC-leading 23rd goal of the season, which was set up by Victor Sanchez.
Martinez then assisted Apollon’s second goal of the game in the 68th minute.
Apollon is fifth in the NWAACC in goals with 14. Martinez is fifth in assists with nine, six behind conference leader Apollon.
Pirates coach Andrew Chapman had lofty praise for his team after Wednesday’s game at Starfire Complex.
“This could have been possibly the best game PC men’s soccer has ever played,” Chapman said.
“We scored early and kept the pressure on the entire time. Our guys moved the ball really well and were able to get to all the loose balls.”
Guerra had five saves.
Peninsula has record five consecutive shutouts.
The Pirates (10-0-1, 16-0-2), who are ranked No. 1 in the NWAACC and No. 10 in the nation, play Olympic (3-5-2, 4-7-2) in Bremerton on Saturday.
Earlier this month, the Rangers played Peninsula to a 0-0 tie, the Pirates lone blemish in conference play this year.
The Peninsula women (13-0, 14-2) clinched the West Division title by beating Highline 3-2 earlier Wednesday.
