PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit to pull even with Kingston, but a last-minute Buccaneers goal sank the Roughriders in a 4-3 boys soccer loss at Peninsula College’s Wally Sigmar Field.
It was the first game for the Port Angeles program since playing in the Class 2A state tournament in May 2019.
“With a lot of new faces and not a lot of varsity experience, [we] held our own against Kingston,” Port Angeles coach Chris Saari said.
Playing from behind for much of the game, the Riders came back from a 1-0 deficit to tie the game in the 15th minute on what Saari described as “a beautiful goal” by Damon Gundersen with an assist by Porter Litle.
“Damon collected a through ball from Porter and smashed a right-footed shot to the upper-right side of the goal,” Saari said.
Kingston notched goals late in the first half in the 34th and 37th minutes to go up 3-1 at the break.
But Port Angeles rallied with two quick goals by sophomore Josiah Long in the 45th and 56th minutes.
“Josiah’s first goal came on a rebound off the keeper that he hustled to get to and slotted past the Bucs goalie,” Saari said.
“Josiah tallied again 11 minutes later to tie the game at 3-3 when he got around the goalkeeper and rolled a left-footed shot into the open net.”
With the match heading for sudden-death overtime, Kingston tallied the game winner in the final minute of regulation.
“It was a tough way to lose,” Saari said. “Several players were cramping up at the end of the game after a short preseason and a long period without playing.”
Saari praised Litle as his offensive player of the match, Sean Rankin for his work in defense and Long and Gunderson for their play in transition.
Port Angeles (0-1) will visit rival Sequim tonight at 6:45 p.m.
Girls Tennis
Port Angeles 4, Olympic 3
PORT ANGELES — The Riders opened with a home victory over the Trojans, taking two of three singles matches and splitting the doubles contests.
Port Angeles (1-0) will host Bainbridge on Monday.
Port Angeles 4, Olympic 3
No. 1 singles: Ryleigh Barrett (O) def. Hannah Reetz (PA) 6-1, 6-3.
No. 2 singles: Emma Olsen (PA) def. Nicole Barber (O) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).
No. 3 singles: Liberty Lauer (PA) def. Ashley Barber (O) 6-0, 6-0.
No. 1 doubles: Kayleigh Byers/Claire Caldwell (O) def. Reagan Critchfield/Eden Critchfield 6-3, 7-5.
No. 2 doubles: Alani Pajimula/Kaiya Moore (O) def. Hannah Basden/Shannon Callahan (PA) 6-2, 7-5.
No. 3 doubles: Angelina Sprague/Brielle Keywood (PA) def. Emlyn Coulter/Faith Kristiansen (O) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.
No. 4 doubles: Ellie Getchell/Kinnley Brady (PA) def. Leah Frei/Faith Jernigan (O) 6-2, 6-2.
