PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team might have found itself guilty of looking forward in a 2-0 win over Shoreline at Wally Sigmar Field.
Saturday’s win was the Pirates third Northwest Athletic Conference North Division win against the Dolphins this season.
The victory, the team’s ninth straight, coupled with Everett’s 3-0 win over Edmonds on Saturday, sets up a first-place showdown between Peninsula (10-1-0, 15-1-0) and Everett (10-1-0, 12-2-1) on Wednesday.
That match is set for 2 p.m. at Wally Sigmar Field.
The rivals have split two prior meetings this season.
“It was a sluggish first half and we didn’t do a good enough job of getting to loose balls,” Pirates coach Kanyon Anderson said of Saturday’s game.
“We were a step slower than we have been in the last two weeks and it resulted in us giving up fouls.”
Ellie Small put Peninsula ahead early on.
“Ellie Small scored a nice breakaway goal in the 17 minute off of a quick, long throw-in from Audrey Barham,” Anderson said.
“Ellie continues to work hard and get goal important goals for us.”
It was Small’s eight goal on the season, to go along with eight assists.
Anderson said his team improved after halftime.
“The second half was better,” he said.
“We were sharper and created good chances.”
Kennady Whitehead scored off of a corner kick in the 58th minute.
Goalkeeper Manaia Siania-Unutoa picked up her ninth shutout on the season for the Pirates after making two saves.
“We are looking forward to our matchup with Everett on Wednesday and that might have been part of our struggle today,” Anderson said.
“We talk about taking things one game at a time, but that match up will likely decide the division title and I know the girls are looking forward to it.”
Men’s Match
Peninsula 2, Shoreline 0
Peninsula stayed atop the NWAC North with a win over the Dolphins.
The Pirates (8-1-2, 10-2-3) scored quickly, going ahead in the second minute thanks to a little give-and-go from captain Eddie Benito and Joe Sorenson.
Benito brought the ball up the left side, beating Shoreline players before passing the ball to Sorenson.
Sorenson then sent a cross ahead into the box and an on-rushing Benito finished the play off with a header goal.
Shoreline turned up the pressure defensively, but Peninsula continued to connect.
The Pirates had a chance to add to their lead but just missed when Jonathan Martinez beat the left back, played a pass in to Keo Ponce who headed the ball over the crossbar.
Peninsula’s Santi Sierra had a number of crucial slide tackles in the box to deny them clean chances and the Pirates led 1-0 at the break.
Peninsula’s second goal came in the first minute of the second half.
“Johnny Vasquez played Johnny Martinez through on goal,” Pirates assistant coach Jake Hughes said.
“He carried the ball into the box and slotted it far post.”
Later, goalkeeper Nick Johnson denied a Shoreline goal with what Hughes described as a “spectacular” goal off of a free kick.
“Shoreline thought it was in,” Hughes said.
Johnson earned the shutout, his NWAC-leading eighth on the season, after making four saves.
Peninsula hosts last-place Everett (0-10-1, 0-12-1) at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
