TUKWILA — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team beat Trinity Lutheran 6-1 at the NWAACC Friendlies Tournament at Starfire Complex.
But, what that definitive victory means has yet to be defined.
Everett-based Trinity Lutheran, a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association, didn’t have
11 players, so the NWAACC needs to decide whether the game counts as an official game or a scrimmage.
“We don’t want them to call it a scrimmage,” Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson said of Wednesday’s game.
Defining it as a scrimmage would have an unfortunate impact on the Pirates and the program.
If it is a scrimmage, then freshman forward Larkyn Nelson’s first college goal would be nullified.
Perhaps even worse, senior Bri Afoa’s two goals would be erased, which could affect where she plays after Peninsula College.
Anderson said that coaches at four-year schools like to know a potential recruit’s statistics, particularly their early season stats..
If the game is called a scrimmage, then it would leave Peninsula with only 19 games.
But even worse, it would impact the Pirates’ spring.
NWAACC teams are allowed to play 20 games and four scrimmages.
Peninsula played two scrimmages last week — wins over the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University — and planned to play two more in the spring.
If Wednesday’s game is ruled a scrimmage, then the Pirates will likely be limited to playing only the Rumble in the Rainforest in the spring.
Also, if called a scrimmage, the trip to Tukwila would have been a waste of money for the Pirates.
According to Anderson, Trinity Lutheran’s program was depleted when it had to hire a new coach late in the offseason. The new coach wasn’t left with many players, or a lot of time to recruit and sign more.
Anderson hopes the NWAACC will make its ruling before the weekend.
On the field, Anderson liked what he saw from the Pirates.
“We moved the ball really quick, and attacked better than we have been,” he said.
“The backline was fantastic in the second half.”
Afoa opened the scoring off an assist from Annie Armstrong, and Nelson’s goal made it 2-0.
Afoa’s second goal was assisted by Alyssa Bertuleit.
Trinity Lutheran scored on a corner kick before halftime to make it 3-1.
In the second half, Katelyn Raatz set up Bronte Fitzsimmons for a goal, and then Raatz scored a goal of her own off an assist by Briana Estrellado.
Shelbi Vienna-Hallam closed out the scoring off an assist by Port Angeles High School graduate Paxton Rodocker.
Peninsula heads to Canada for pair of weekend games. The Pirates play at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., on Saturday, and the University of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday morning.
Lyons scores for Tritons
Port Townsend graduate Irina Lyons scored on a penalty kick for the Edmonds on Wednesday, helping the Tritons to a 3-0 win over Clark.
Lyons, the 2012 All-Peninsula Girls Soccer MVP, is in her freshman season at Edmonds.
Men’s Soccer
Peninsula 4, Everett 0
TUKWILA — The Pirate men moved to 2-0 on the year with a dominating win over the Trojans on Wednesday at the NWAACC Friendlies Tournament at Starfire Complex.
Alex Martinez and Ashkanov Apollon again scored for Peninsula, Apollon in the 33rd minute and Martinez in the 38th minute. Christopher Galea assisted on Apollon’s goal and Erick Urzua set up Martinez.
The Pirates add a pair of quick goals near the end of the game, with Kalei Gallarde setting up Musa Kamara for a 67th-minute goal and Galea scoring two minutes later off a Victor Sanchez assist.
Peninsula’s backup goalkeepers, Edwin Guandique and Aaron Zavolokin, each had two saves.
The defending NWAACC champion Pirates have started their season outscoring Edmonds and Everett 8-1 at the two-day Friendlies Tournament.
“Both games played out about the same,” Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.
“We got to play everybody and move players around. Didn’t pick up any injuries which is a huge plus.
“We had a lot of success being able to move the ball around.”
Like the women’s team, the Peninsula men will play a pair of weekend games in Canada, Saturday against Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Richmond, B.C., and Sunday at University of the Fraser Valley.
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Sports reporter/outdoors columnist Lee Horton can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
