PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula men’s soccer team had an epic match with titanic swings of momentum back and forth against North Division winner Whatcom, falling in the gloom of twilight on a late header 3-2 to the powerful Orcas.
It was the Pirates’ first loss of the year. In three matches against Whatcom, Peninsula tied twice and lost the rubber match in the final five minutes on a set piece. It doesn’t appear the two teams could be any more even.
The difference Wednesday was just a couple of breaks here and there — a penalty called in the penalty area in stoppage time at the end of the first half and a beautiful corner kick and header by Peninsula that went just over the crossbar by a foot or two.
“I think we played a great game. We were a little bit unlucky. I think we matched Whatcom’s energy and showed our qualities,” said Peninsula coach Jake Hughes. “I think we showed that we wanted to play good soccer.”
With the win, Whatcom (12-0-2) takes the North Division crown and will have a bye for the first round of the NWAC playoffs. The loss means the Pirates (9-1-4) will finish second in the North Division (tied for the second-most in the NWAC), but their season is far from over as they qualified for the postseason last week.
Peninsula will host the East’s third-place team, either Columbia Basin or Walla Walla, at home Wednesday.
Hughes said after the tough loss that he talked to the players about their willingness to work and put the team first.
“Multiple players played for the team. We did everything we could. And I spoke about giving credit to Whatcom.
“Our job isn’t done yet,” Hughes said.
Peninsula took the lead early against Whatcom on a perfect free kick from 40 yards out by Michael Day that was headed in by Joey Hollimon in the 29th minute.
It was one of two assists for Day in the match.
It appeared the Pirates were going to take that 1-0 lead into the half, but in stoppage time, the referee called a penalty on Peninsula, giving the Orcas a penalty kick, which they converted for a goal.
The Orcas seized the lead quickly just after halftime with a goal by Hunter Montgomery on a tough rebound after Peninsula got a free kick out of the goal area.
The game swung back and forth the whole second half. The Pirates had a golden opportunity in the 79th minute as Cesar Gervacio, the leading scorer in the NWAC, hit a near perfect corner that was headed over the crossbar by a couple of feet.
Peninsula seemed to gain the momentum in the 83rd minute when Whatcom drew a red card and went down to 10 players. Sure enough, moments later, on another free kick by Day, the Pirates scored to tie it 2-2 when Jose Serna knocked the ball in.
It appeared it was going to be a third straight tie between the two powerhouses, but Whatcom executed a perfect corner kick in the 86th minute, sending the ball high to 6-foot-4 Zach Wanne, who headed it in for a 3-2 lead. The Pirates got two more corners, one in the 89th minute and one in stoppage time, to make the Orcas’ hearts race. One shot was blocked by their goalie and the other blocked well in front of the goal as the game ended.
Peninsula (9-1-4, 11-2-4) wraps up its regular season at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sigmar Field against Edmonds.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Peninsula’s Michael Day dribbles past Whatcom’s Jerry Merveille during the first half on Wednesday in Port Angeles.
