PORT ANGELES — Another doubleheader, another sweep for the Peninsula College soccer teams.
This time, though, the wins had added importance, because the Pirate men and women beat Highline, the school right behind them in the chase for the NWAACC West Division title.
It was the first of two important doubleheaders at Wally Sigmar Field this week. On Saturday, the Pirates host Clark College.
The Peninsula women dominated the Thunderbirds 4-0 to open up a six-point lead in the standings.
The men, meanwhile, beat Highline 4-1. The Pirates now lead by nine points, but have played on more game than the second-place Thunderbirds.
Peninsula dominated the women’s match from the start.
With the rain falling, the Pirates were raining shots on the Highline goal, and wasted no time taking control of the game.
Bri Afoa found the net just nine minutes into the match off an assist from Bronte Fitzsimmons.
Brenda Torres then made it 2-0, converting off a cross from Gabriela Gonzalez, and it was 3-0 at the half following Afoa’s second goal of the match, assisted by Brittney Yoshimura.
“Our training sessions have been more competitive in the last few weeks which have resulted in faster, more aggressive play,” Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson said.
“Highline is a good team. We just played well and were able to finish the chances we created.”
With Anderson playing his bench liberally in the second half, the Pirates padded their lead in the 76th minute on a penalty kick by Port Angeles High School graduate Paxton Rodocker.
Peninsula outshot Highline 13-4.
Pirates goalkeeper Emily Flinn saved all four shots to earn the shutout.
“We have rededicated ourselves to our team defense, so getting the shutout feels good,” Anderson said of Wednesday’s game.
The shutout was Peninsula’s second in a row, and its fifth in seven games.
Despite their recent dominance, the Pirates fell to No. 2 in the latest NWAACC Alaska Airlines Coaches Poll. They also are ranked 14th nationally.
Walla Walla (6-0-1, 10-0-1) took over the top spot. The Warriors received five first-place votes, while Peninsula had three.
Walla Walla leads the NWAACC with 53 goals and has only allowed one this season, while recording 10 shutouts.
The Pirates (7-0, 8-2) are second in the conference with 42 goals. They have allowed eight goals and have five shutouts.
Clark (4-2-1, 4-6-2) is among the other receiving votes in the NWAACC poll. The Penguins are second in the South Division standings.
Men’s Soccer
Peninsula 4, Highline 1
PORT ANGELES — The Pirate men had a tougher time the women defeating the Thunderbirds, who rank fourth in the NWAACC.
The Pirates found themselves in unfamiliar territory through the early going — on their end of the field.
However, a staunch back line and outstanding keeper play by Angel Guerra kept Highline out of the goal.
The conference’s scoring leader, Alex Martinez, drew first blood for the Pirates, finding the net in the 27th minute. He added another goal just before the half off an assist by Christian Martinez.
Alex Martinez’s two goals give him 21 on the season, which equals his total from last year. His 42 career goals put him seven behind Peninsula’s all-time leading goal scorer Miguel Gonzalez, who scored 49 in 2010 and 2011.
Ash Apollon then made it 3-0 off an assist from Alex Martinez just seven minutes into the second half, but Highline (3-2, 7-3-1) answered on a goal by Scottie Inthoulay six minutes later.
The Pirates, however, would not let the Thunderbirds back in the match, adding an insurance goal in the final five minutes by Christian Martinez, assisted by Kalei Gallarde.
“Any time you play Highline it is going to be very heated,” Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.
“Our guys did really well staying composed and we kept pressing.
“Shots were even, we just got better looks at goal.”
Each team finished with nine shots.
Peninsula (6-0, 12-0-1) faces an even stiffer test Saturday against Clark (6-0, 10-1-1).
“This [win over Highline] puts us in a great position on top of our division,” Chapman said.
“We have Clark on Saturday who is ranked No. 2 in the NWAACC, and [that] will be an even bigger game. A win on Saturday will put us six points up on second in the west.”
The Peninsula men, ranked eighth in the nation, maintained their top spot in the latest NWAACC rankings (see Page B2).
Saturday’s matches
The women’s match kicks off at noon Saturday at Wally Sigmar Field. The men play at 2 p.m.
Prior to the game, Peninsula College will host an alcohol-free tailgate party for fans, starting at 11 a.m.
