PORT ANGELES — Matthew Miller garnered his third hat trick of the season and Port Angeles stood up defensively in a 4-0 Olympic League boys soccer victory over Bremerton at Wally Sigmar Field on Tuesday.
The evening doubled as senior night for Jacob Weaver, Leif Moody, Jackson Wyall and Gus Halberg and the Roughriders quickly put away any nervous energies with a quick start in the sixth minute when Weaver combined with Matthew Miller at the top of the box.
“Weaver got in behind a Knights defender and poked the ball in at the near post from 10 yards out. The ball went past the outcoming goalkeeper as the Bremerton defender challenged Weaver from the side. It was a fitting way to start the senior night festivities for Weaver,” coach Chris Saari said.
Saari said Port Angeles continued to pass well and make good runs offensively, but it wasn’t until the 31st minute that the Riders went up 2-0.
“The Riders created several more good chances in the first half with some good wing penetration and crosses,” Saari said. “Matthew Miller took a pass from Oliver Martinez and turned the corner in behind the Knights’ defense, driving on the dribble towards the near post. As the angle got tighter, Matthew hit a hard right-footed shot that blasted by the goalkeeper near post from eight yards out.”
Miller added two second-half scores — taking a pass from Grant Butterworth and beating several Knight defenders to go one-on-one with the goalie before sending a right-footed shot past the goalie to the near post from close range in the 51st and scoring again in the 54th from an assist by Kanyon Anderson.
“Leif Moody played well for Port Angeles on senior night and was a fan favorite,” Saari said. “Senior Gus Halberg made a few key saves for the Riders and got his sixth shutout of the season for Port Angeles.”
A game against Olympic that was canceled Monday because of the mechanical malfunction of the Hood Canal Bridge will not be rescheduled because postseason begins Saturday.
Port Angeles (8-5, 10-6) finished third overall in the Olympic League standings and will host a loser-out district contest on Saturday at Peninsula College. The opponent and time will be determined after Wednesday night.
North Kitsap 3, Sequim 0
SEQUIM — The Wolves played tough with the second-place Vikings despite being down three starters to injuries, according to coach Dave Breckenridge.
“It was senior night and we needed to play the seniors,” he said. “We played well, with high energy. The two penalty kicks [called] against us wasn’t great, but Nolan [Valenzuela] was able to stop one. The other was a hand ball and only one mistake by our back line for a legitimate goal. So all in all, a good outcome.”
Sequim (6-8, 6-8) will play a loser-out district tournament game on the road Saturday against an opponent to be determined.
Forks 17, Chief Leschi 0
PUYALLUP — The Spartans defeated the Warriors, in their first season as a soccer program, handily on the road.
Forks (9-6, 9-7) will host Elma (9-6) tonight at 7 p.m. to close out the regular season with a Southwest District Tournament spot on the line for the winner.
That playoff game would be on the road Saturday against the TriCo 1A League champion Columbia (White Salmon).
