PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College women finally had their high-octane offense brought under control, managing just a lone goal in a 1-1 draw with a good Bellevue College team at Wally Sigmar Field on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the men had their three-game winning streak snapped, falling to first-place Bellevue in a tight defensive battle 2-1.
The women came in to Saturday’s match with 47 goals in their past four matches. Neither team was able to score for 71 minutes, when Elliana Barden was able to finally break through with a score for the Pirates, with an assist to Shawna Larson, who made a long run down the wing, beat a defender and hit an open Barden with a cross.
The Pirates’ lead was short-lived as Bellevue scored just five minutes later to tie the match. It ended after 90 minutes at 1-1.
Peninsula led in shots 19 to 9. Peninsula’s Talia Marini faced five shots on goal and made four saves to preserve the draw.
The draw drops the Pirates into second place in the north at 4-0-1 in league (9-0-1 overall). Skagit Valley has been red-hot this season and sits in first at 5-0-0. Bellevue is in third at 2-1-2.
It just so happens that the Pirates’ next game is against Skagit Valley, at Wally Sigmar Field at 5 p.m. Wednesday in what will be a battle for first place.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Konrad Muller, right, takes control of the ball from Belluevue’s Yoo Seung-Bum, left, as Peninsula’s Fin Muotune looks on during Saturday’s match at Peninsula College. KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Konrad Muller, right, takes control of the ball from Belluevue’s Yoo Seung-Bum, left, as Peninsula’s Fin Muotune looks on during Saturday’s match at Peninsula College.
Men’s game
In the men’s game, the Pirates took a 1-0 lead early in the first half on an unassisted goal from Sequim High School’s Brandon Wagner, his second goal of the year. The Pirates’ Abdurahim Leigh, who has been a force all season, made a reverse spin to avoid a defender, made a strong run down the left wing and got off a dangerous point-blank shot, forcing Bellevue’s goalkeeper to make a diving save. Wagner was right there to clean up the rebound for a score. Leigh doesn’t get an official assist, but definitely played a role in the goal.
Bellevue was able to knot up the score at 1-1 in the 53rd minute, then got the go-ahead goal in the 67th minute, holding the Pirates scoreless in the second half.
Peninsula had 11 shots to Bellevue’s nine.
With the win, Bellevue moved into a three-way tie with Skagit Valley and Everett, all of whom have identical 2-0-3 records. Peninsula, which actually has more wins at 3-2 (6-3-0 overall), sits just behind that trio.
The Pirates have a huge game Wednesday to try and break up the North Region logjam, hosting Skagit Valley at Wally Sigmar Field at 7:15 p.m.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Shawna Larson, right, steps between the ball and Bellevue’s Jolie Widaman on Saturday in Port Angeles.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Lauren La Fountain, right, addresses the ball as Bellevue’s Emalee Flemming tries to keep up on Saturday at Wally Sigmar Field.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Keilee Silva, right, sends the ball downfield as Bellevue’s Emalee Flemming, left, Peninsula’s Lauren La Fountain and Bellevue’s Macie Masterson look on during Saturday’s match in Port Angeles.
KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS Peninsula’s Alfie Tucker, left, grimaces with pain as his foot gets stepped on by Bellevue’s Atsuki Aoyama during Saturday’s match at Wally Sigmar Field.
