PORT ANGELES — Roughriders midfielder Andrew St. George is keeping it local and keeping his dream of playing NCAA Division I soccer alive.
St. George, a standout for Port Angeles High School, signed a letter of intent to play for Peninsula College on Wednesday. He is the second area prep product to recently sign to play for Peninsula College. Sequim senior Nate Despain signed in April to play for the Pirates’ hoops team.
St. George, also the captain of the Riders’ soccer team, made the Olympic League 2A Division all-league first team in 2017 and second team in 2018. The 2019 teams have yet to be released, but St. George should again receive honors.
“A college wants you because of your desire to play. Peninsula is local. I’m pretty happy about that,” said Port Angeles Athletic Director Dwayne Johnson, also pointing out the nine NWAC championships that Peninsula has won in men’s and women’s soccer and basketball.
His father, Aaron St. George, said his son “has put in a lot of hard work” to become the player he is.
“I’ve coached him,” Aaron said. “I get to watch him play and sit back and be a fan.”
Andrew said his dad had coached him for 14 years.
“All the coaching, all the car rides. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “I love you guys.”
St. George said one of his favorite memories of playing for the Roughriders was when he first started with the team four years ago.
“My freshman year, I was nervous and afraid and had a lot to prove on my first day,” he said. He said the coaches and other players immediately made him feel comfortable and welcome.
“The coaches were awesome, I’ll never forget that,” St. George said, also thanking his teammates that he has played with for four years.
“Since my freshman year, [my teammates] have been by my side,” he said.
“I’m proud of you. I know you’ll do well there,” said St. George’s teammate Andrew Methner.
Peninsula coach Jake Hughes said he’s had his eye on St. George for years. Several people spoke about St. George’s work ethic.
Hughes confirmed that, but added that he’s also very talented and an intelligent player.
“He’s a tenacious, hard-working player,” Hughes said. “He has a good understanding of the game and an understanding of what the expectations in our program.”
“He’s a good fit. He’s been around the program. We’ve been monitoring his progress for a couple of seasons,” Hughes said.
At the same time, St. George has been keeping his eye on Peninsula.
“I’ve been watching them the last four years. It’s a great program. Very well-coached,” he said.
St. George plans to transfer to a four-year school after his eligibility is up with the Pirates. He wants to play soccer for a NCAA Division I school and particularly dreams of playing for the University of Arizona.
Hughes also thinks it’s great to bring in area kids to play for Peninsula, which has to recruit a lot out of the community to compete with much bigger schools in the Seattle and Tacoma areas. Port Angeles’ Ben Schneider and Jesse Salgado were on the 2018 team and Port Angeles’ Tim Schneider and Sequim’s Josiah Urquia were on the 2017 team.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
