PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team moved up to No. 11 and the Pirate men entered at No. 10 as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America released its latest Junior College Division I Top 20 Poll on Wednesday.
Both Peninsula teams have owned the No. 1 ranking in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Alaska Airlines Coaches Poll since it was released a few weeks into the season.
This year marks the first time in Peninsula College’s history that a soccer team was nationally ranked.
“It’s a tribute to the hard work of our coaching staff and our players, and the support of our fans,” athletic director Rick Ross said.
“And as nice as it is to be nationally and regionally ranked, our goal is to win the NWAACC.
“Only one women’s team and one men’s team is going to own that title when the dust clears on Nov. 18, and it would be a pretty sweet reward for our players if it turns out to be us.”
Road to crown
The road to that title will start next week when the NWAACC playoffs get underway.
Teams from the four regions that finished second and third will battle on Nov. 7 for the right to play the division champions on their home fields on Nov. 10.
The Pirate women, who won their second straight West Division crown this year, will host the winner of the South No. 2 vs. East No. 3 playoff at 11 a.m. on Nov. 10 at Wally Sigmar Field.
The Pirate men, who won their fourth straight West title, will host the South No. 2 vs. East No. 3 winner at 1:15 p.m. on the same day.
The two Peninsula College teams, meanwhile, finish out their regular season at home Saturday against Bellevue after playing at Olympic on Wednesday.
The Pirate women lead the NWAACC in scoring with 101 goals in 19 games, while giving up only 10.
Briana Afoa, a freshman out of Hawaii, is the third leading scorer in the NWAACC with 17 goals.
Morgan Atchley of Ridgefield and Kendra Miner of Alaska are tied for seventh among NWAACC scorers with 10 each.
Jordan Dinneen of Alaska leads the NWAACC in assists with 13 while Sydney Bullington of Montesano is fourth with nine.
Denae Brooks of Spokane is tied for second in shutouts with seven.
The Pirate men, meanwhile, lead the NWAACC in goals scored (73) and goals against (8), also in 19 total games.
The Pirates have three players tied for third in the NWAACC in scoring with 15 goals each in Daniel Gonzalez of Yelm, Alex Martinez of Reno, Nev., and Henrique Noujeimi of Brazil.
Martinez, meanwhile, leads the NWAACC in assists with 11, Erick Urzua of Portland is second with nine and Gonzalez is sixth with seven.
Guilherme Avelar of Brazil leads all goalkeepers in shutouts with eight.
