TUKWILA — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team opened the 2013 season with a 4-1 win over Edmonds at the NWAACC Friendlies Tournament at Starfire Sports Complex.
The 10th-ranked Pirates started quickly, with two goals in the first 20 minutes, and a 3-0 lead by halftime.
“We look good,” Peninsula head coach Andrew Chapman said after Tuesday’s victory.
“We moved the ball well and didn’t give up much [on defense].”
The goals and assists during the two-day Friendlies Tournament games count toward season stats. Sophomore midfielder Kalei Gallarde scored Peninsula’s first goal of the season in the 12th minute. Corbyn May was credited with the season’s first assist.
Two for Martinez
Sophomore forward Alex Martinez, who was second in the NWAACC in scoring in 2012, followed with a pair of goals of his own, one in the 16th minute and another at the 33-minute mark.
Both of Martinez’s goals were header finishes off set-piece crosses.
“Gallarde’s goal was also on a set-piece cross, so we had three goals off set-piece crosses,” Chapman said.
May, a sophomore defender, also assisted on Martinez’s first goal, while Zac Newton set up Martinez’s second score.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead at intermission, Chapman was able to give playing time to other players to “see what they can do.”
Peninsula newcomer Ashkanov Apollon continued to build a reputation as a goal scorer with a score in the 54th minute that put the Pirates up 4-0. Freshman midfielder Christopher Galea had the assist.
Pirates goalkeeper Angel Guerra notched six saves.
The Tritons ended the shutout bid with an 83-minute goal by Miguel Medina.
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Sports reporter/outdoors columnist Lee Horton can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
