PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team returns to the NWAACC Final Four for the third time in four years this weekend.
The Pirates (11-3-4 overall) will take on Columbia Basin (12-3-4) and its stingy defense in Saturday’s semifinal at Starfire Athletic Complex in Tukwila at 6:30 p.m.
A total of five players were named to the NWAACC West Division All-Star team earlier this week.
Among them was West Division MVP Miguel Gonzalez, who scored a school record 14 goals this season for the West Division champions.
Also honored as All-Stars were midfielder Tyler Hindmarch (5 goals, 2 assists), defender Jeff Mullen (3 assists), defender Brent Ricigliano (1 goal, 3 assists) and goalkeeper Jared Wilson (5 shutouts).
Head coach Andrew Chapman was also named West Division coach of the year for the third time in four seasons.
Peninsula will face arguably the top defensive team in the NWAACC when it takes on Columbia Basin on Saturday.
The Hawks were tied with Clark for fewest goals allowed this season. They also have an NWAACC best nine shutouts this season.
“They are harder to get in behind,” Chapman said. “They are also good on their free kicks, so they take advantage of their opportunities when they get them.
“They are just a hard, hard working team.”
Waiting in the finals will be the winner of Saturday’s Highline-Shoreline match at 4 p.m.
A team send-off will be held today at 9:45 a.m. at the college.
The Pirates will gather around the Black Pearl (Peninsula College’s bus) between the PUB and the library at 9:45 a.m. before leaving 15 minutes later.
Fans are welcome to swing by and slap a few high fives before the Pirates push off on their journey for the school’s first NWAACC title in men’s soccer.
