BELLINGHAM — The Peninsula men’s soccer team came up empty Wednesday in its bid to seal up a North Division title and a first-round bye in the NWAC Tournament bye in a 1-0 loss to Whatcom.
The North Division lead exchanged hands with the loss, and now the Pirates are staring down a different playoff path, likely having to host a first-round playoff game at Wally Sigmar Field on Wednesday.
Peninsula (10-2-2, 11-4-2 and 32 points) came into the contest two points clear of Whatcom (10-1-3, 12-3-4, 33 points) with one additional game remaining.
The Orcas scored in the 74th minute on a Corey Williams goal, assisted by Koki Fujita.
The Pirates managed just five total shots, three on goal, in the shutout.
Peninsula could pass Whatcom Saturday on the final day of the regular season but it would take a miracle of an upset.
The Pirates would need to defeat Edmonds (4-8-2, 4-10-3) to pick up three points and have cellar-dwelling Shoreline (0-13-1, 2-14-1) defeat or draw with Whatcom to claim the North title and the playoff bye.
Otherwise, Peninsula will host West No. 3 Pierce (6-5-2) at home Wednesday.
Women’s Match Peninsula 2, Whatcom 1
BELLINGHAM — The North-champion Pirates edged the playoff-bound Orcas to complete a three-game season sweep.
Peninsula (13-0-1, 15-2-1) also beat Whatcom 5-1 and 2-0 earlier this season.
Wednesday, the Pirates picked up their ninth consecutive victory while snapping Whatcom’s (8-5-1, 9-7-1) four-game league winning streak.
Two goals in the first 25 minutes of play lifted Peninsula.
Samantha Oliveira scored in the eighth minute, assisted by Kayla Alcott.
Tatiana Hagan added an unassisted goal in the 25th for the Pirates.
Whatcom’s Payton Lunde closed the gap in the 59th minute, scoring off an assist by Alexis Dettling.
But the Pirates’ defense stood tall and held the Orcas off the scoreboard in the final 30 minutes.
Andrea Kenagy made four saves in five chances for Peninsula.
The Pirates will wrap regular-season play at Edmonds on Saturday.
Peninsula will have a first-round bye in the NWAC Tournament and will host a quarterfinal match at home on Saturday, Nov. 3.
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Compiled from team reports. Email scores to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or phone 360-417-3525.
