PORT ANGELES — Peninsula College’s soccer teams stayed on course after sweeping tough and determined Highline College squads at Wally Sigmar Field on Saturday.
The Pirate men nipped Highline 2-1 while the women had a little more leg room with a 3-1 victory as the regular season winds down.
“Wow, what a game,” Peninsula College men’s coach Andrew Chapman said.
“As always when playing Highline, it will be an intense and hard-fought game.”
The Pirates clinch the West Division title with the win, and now will have a bye for the first round of playoffs and a home game for the second round on Nov. 10.
This is the Pirates’ fifth division title in six years, and fourth straight.
“There were a lot of emotions in today’s game but our players played extremely well,” Chapman said.
“Guilherme [Avelar] had a great game in goal with some very big saves for us.
“We still have three games left in league play, so to clinch the title so early is huge for us because it will allow us to rest players and prepare for playoffs.”
Daniel Gonzalez had both goals for the Pirates, one coming quickly at 6 minutes and the other at 32 minutes for a 2-0 lead.
David Loeung scored Highline’s goal at 55 minutes to avoid the shutout.
Alex Martinez and Richard Gallarde had assists for the Pirates while Jesus Cervantes earned an assist for Highline.
Avelar had eight saves for Peninsula as the Pirates out shot Highline 17-12.
In the women’s match, Kendra Miner, Sydney Bullington and Briana Afoa all had goals for the Pirates, within the first 56 minutes, for a 3-0 lead.
Rebecca Burns scored Highline’s line goal at 78 minutes.
Afoa, Miner and Deidra Woodward had an assist each for the Pirates.
Nicole Williams had an assist for Highline.
The Peninsula women next will host Lower Columbia at Wally Sigmar Field on Wednesday starting at 1 p.m.
The Pirate men, meanwhile, have a bye Wednesday and next will play at Tacoma on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
