PORT ANGELES — Eighteen years of frustration melted away Thursday night at Civic Field as the Port Angeles girls soccer team overcame a generation of futility against the North Kitsap Vikings with a 5-0 shutout win.
It was the first win for the Roughriders (4-0-0, 7-0-0) over the Vikings (2-1-0, 4-1-1) since the 2000 season.
Port Angeles had come close over the years, including last season’s overtime loss at Poulsbo.
This time the Riders put the game away by halftime, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
Millie Long finished with a hat trick, scoring the game’s first goal which was curved into the goal directly from a corner kick in the 17th minute.
Freshman Anna Petty hit a left-footed, 30-yard shot over last year’s Olympic League MVP — North Kitsap goalkeeper Sophia Pixton — for a 2-0 Port Angeles lead.
Long earned her second on the night just three minutes later, scoring after a pass from Delaney Wenzl led to Long being one-on-one with the goalie. She cooly finished with her right foot past a diving Pixton. Not content with being up 3-0, Hannah Reetz won the ball 25 yards out, dribbled past a Viking defender and struck a curling shot just inside the far post for a 4-0 halftime lead.
Senior captain Delaney Wenzl picked up on the team’s focus early.
“North Kitsap is a huge opponent and always has been for us, but it was amazing to see everyone go in nervous and then not even be able to tell as soon as that first whistle blew,” Wenzl said.
Port Angeles head coach Scott Moseley has seen his share of soccer, but he’d never seen a half like that.
“The was the best half of soccer I’ve seen a Rider team play,” said Moseley.
“We had such a complete game. Our defense was focused, allowing only two shots on goal all game. Our midfield dominated possession and multiple times outran and out-hustled North. Obviously, our offense was clicking, too. All the goals were beautiful.”
While Port Angeles slowed things down a bit in the second half, Long did earn her third goal of the game when Jada Cargo flicked a pass that Long took past the goal and hit left-footed. The shot was saved by North’s Rixton, but her momentum carried her into the goal, completing Long’s hat trick.
Long is up to a league-high 17 goals on the season.
Moseley also highlighted the play of freshman goalkeeper Saylah Commerton who won her second game in a row.
“It is such a luxury to have such a confident and skilled young keeper. She stepped right in and had an excellent game,” said Moseley.
Those sentiments were repeated by senior defender Lucah Folden “Our defensive line played the best I’ve seen yet — we were calm, shutting down their offense time after time, and our communication was outstanding.”
Port Angeles is cruising on both sides of the ball — allowing just three goals while scoring 34 — both league-leading totals.
Long summed up the night.
“I felt so happy when the final whistle blew, because we haven’t beaten NK in a very long time, and it just felt nice to get past that losing streak,” Long said.
Port Angeles hosts Bremerton Tuesday at Civic Field.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles’ Hannah Reetz, left, and North Kitsap’s Sarah Hamilton vie for a header on Thursday night at Port Angeles Civic Field.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles’ Anna Petty, right, receives a hug from teammate Bailee Larson and congratulations from Millie Long after scoring a goal in the first half on Thursday against North Kitsap at Port Angeles Civic Field.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles’ Millie Long, right, charges towards the goal against the defense of North Kitsap’s Hannah Knott, left, and Audrey Zinn on Thursday night at Port Angeles Civic Field.
