Peninsula Daily News
BELLINGHAM — The Peninsula Pirates were braced for a showdown at Whatcom where the the two women’s soccer teams and the two men’s squads all had 3-0 conference records on the line.
When the crumb rubber had settled on the Orcas’ turf field late Wednesday afternoon, it was the Pirate women and men who were all alone in first place in the North Division.
The Northwest Athletic Conference’s third-ranked Peninsula women stunned unranked Whatcom 7-0 in the opener, and the top-ranked Pirate men followed with a 3-0 shutout over the hosts, who are ranked sixth in the NWAC.
The Pirate women improved to 4-0 in North Division play and 5-1-1 overall, while the men remained unbeaten, improving to 4-0 and 6-0-1.
Peninsula hosts Edmonds Saturday for the annual “Community Day” match.
Admission is free to all fans and mini soccer balls will be given away. Kickoff is noon for the women’s match and 2 p.m. for the men.
Women Peninsula 7, Whatcom 0
The Pirates, ranked 19th in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association Junior College Division I soccer poll, overwhelmed the Orcas, scoring three goals in the first half and four in the second.
Defender Audrey Barham got the Pirates on the scoreboard in the third minute, assisted by Jazmin Ramos. Ellie Small followed with a goal in the sixth minute and then it was Hoku Afong in the 31st minute, assisted by Kelly Kevershan, putting the visitors up 3-0 at halftime.
The talented and deep Pirates continued to find the net in the second half, getting the second goal of the match by Afong, assisted by Malia Brudvik, six minutes into the second half.
That score was followed by goals from Maddy Parton, another goal by Small, and the final tally coming from Bri Vallente. Ramos earned her second assist of the day on Parton’s goal.
Goalkeeper Akari Hoshino recorded the shutout for the Pirates.
Men Peninsula 3, Whatcom 0
This match-up of two ranked teams saw a young Pirate team that has been a bit vulnerable on defense this season rise to the occasion and shut out the Orcas.
Peninsula got on the scoreboard in the 12th minute when Miguel Valderrama dribbled across the box, played the ball to Juan Carrillo, who crossed it to Joey Hollimon, who headed it into the Whatcom goal for what proved to be the game-winner.
That score stood through halftime, but the Pirates came up with insurance goals in the 53rd and 66th minutes.
Salvador Vargas played a corner kick to Kevin Medina, who played it back to Vargas, who crossed it back in front of the Orca goal where Jason Ramos headed it home. The final goal came when Cesar Gervacio beat Whatcom defenders off the dribble and was fouled. Vargas then bent a free kick into the bottom right corner to put the match out of reach at 3-0.
Brannon Dwyer earned the shutout in goal for Peninsula.
