EDMONDS — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team won its second straight game via shutout Saturday, vaulting the Pirates into first place of the highly competitive North Region.
It was also the Pirates’ third straight conference win. With an 8-1-1 record over their past 10 games, the Pirates have managed to open up a two-point margin over second-place Whatcom. Last week, Peninsula was in a three-way tie for second in the region.
Peninsula had to play two matches in two days because a match against Shoreline was pushed back due to poor air quality. The Pirates beat Shoreline 4-0 on Friday and then followed up with a 3-0 win over Edmonds on Saturday.
Peninsula got all three of its goals in the first half. Dylan Pauw scored in the eighth minute with an assist to Yusaku Shimakura, while Pau Vivas Ayala scored in the 24th minute with an assist to Fernando Tavares. Finlay Muotune wrapped up the scoring in the 34th minute with an assist to Tim Deser.
Alejandro Lopez made two saves in goal to earn the shutout.
Peninsula finished with 10 shots to four for Edmonds.
After a tie to Everett and a loss to Whatcom earlier this month, the Pirates have taken control of the North Region with three straight wins. Peninsula is 11-2-2 in the region (14-2-2 overall) for 35 points, while Whatcom is 10-1-3 for 33 points. The Orcas do have the advantage of having an extra conference game to play, but two of their remaining matches are against a very tough Everett team and an always good Tacoma squad. Skagit Valley is 9-3-3 for 30 points and Everett is 9-3-2 for 29 points.
Peninsula, meanwhile, has home matches remaining against Bellevue (5-5-4) at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Skagit Valley at 2 p.m. Saturday. That final match could end up being for the North Region championship.
The No. 1-ranked Peninsula women (10-0-1) did not play Saturday and Edmonds did not field a women’s team this year. They also play at home at 2 p.m. Wednesday against Bellevue and noon Saturday against Skagit Valley, looking to wrap up an undefeated regular season.
