COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team beat two powerhouses on the road in eastern Washington and northern Idaho in the Pirates’ final tune-up before beginning North Region play later this week.
In a rematch of an NWAC playoff match from last year, the women first beat Spokane 5-1 on Saturday. The women then went a few miles east to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and beat a 6-0-2 Western Wyoming Community College (Rock Springs, Wyo.) squad 3-1 on Sunday. The women remain undefeated at 5-0-0 and have beaten three highly ranked opponents in Lower Columbia (an 8-1 victory), Spokane and Western Wyoming.
Spokane beat Peninsula in penalty kicks last year in the NWAC quarterfinals, then went on to win the championship over Clark College. They are ranked No. 2 nationally this year.
Coach Kanyon Anderson said the victory over Spokane wasn’t so much about revenge for last year, but was important to see where the Pirates stand this year. He expected that the Pirates will meet Spokane again in the postseason.
“It was a really intense game. It was more than just your typical conference game,” he said.
The Pirates got on the board in the 19th minute on a goal from Port Angeles’ Anna Petty, her third goal of the year. Shawna Larson scored in the 32nd minute, also her third of the year, with an assist to Sydney Soskis.
In the second half, Taya Bohenko scored unassisted, her third goal of the year, in the 52nd minute as the Pirates took a commanding 3-0 lead. Spokane finally got on board in the 72nd minute, but then quickly gave up an own goal just a minute later. The Pirates wrapped up a goal with a goal from Briana-Jean Tanaka, her fourth of the year — tops in the NWAC, with an assist to Larson.
Goalkeeper Talia Marini made five saves to earn her fifth victory of the year.
Anderson said the entire back line played well for the Pirates, including Lauren La Fountain, Blake Plummer, Gemma Rowland and Sequim’s Hannah Wagner.
In the Western Wyoming game, Jaeda Mae Edayan immediately scored unassisted in the first minute and Riosa Mishida scored unassisted in the 17th minute to give the Pirates a quick 2-0 lead. Western Wyoming picked up a goal in the 24th minute and the score remained a tight 2-1 affair for most of the rest of the game. The Pirates collected an insurance goal in the 86th minute with an unassisted goal by Rylie Echavaria.
Despite the relatively close score, Peninsula dominated in shots with 20 to four for Western Wyoming. Kylie Janke earned the victory in goal.
“To get eight goals against two goals allowed [against two elite teams] is pretty awesome,” Anderson said.
The Pirates are leading the NWAC with 23 goals scored in five matches.
Peninsula (5-0-0) begins North Region play at Wally Sigmar Field at 2 p.m. Wednesday against Everett (0-2). The Peninsula men (3-1), who beat Lane 6-1 on Thursday, follow the women’s match with a tough game against unbeaten Everett (5-0) at 4:15 p.m. The men have scored 14 goals in their last three games.
