PORT ANGELES — Defense has carried the Peninsula College women’s soccer team all season and the trend continued — by choice — in a scoreless tie with Highline at Wally Sigmar Field.
“Our main goal was to not let them score,” Pirates defender and co-captain Kamryn Barney said.
The defensive effort continues to wow Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson.
“We’ve given up one goal in 17 games,” Anderson said.
“I told the team I’m so impressed that they can stay focused on a single task for 90 minutes. I’ve never had a team able to do that.”
The tie keeps alive Peninsula’s chances at a Northwest Athletic Conference West Division title.
“A big part of the game was a draw was excellent for us,” Anderson said.
The Pirates (13-1-1, 15-1-1) trail the Thunderbirds (13-1-2, 15-1-2) by one point in the standings, but have a game in hand on Highline, meaning they have three games left to play to the T-Birds’ two.
“We were content to kind of make sure we were a little more conservative. I think we were 60/40 in terms of defend to attack,” Anderson said.
“We didn’t really ever press or commit numbers up for the attack.”
That isn’t to say the match was dull or lacked drama; it was a highly competitive chess match between the two teams.
Emily Flinn got the start in goal for the Pirates and was flawless, picking up her fourth shutout of the season after recording four saves and coming off her line to interrupt numerous other chances.
“We have fantastic goalkeepers,” Anderson said of Flinn, Kasie Lough and Manaia Siania-Unutoa.
“We are so blessed at the position, it’s unbelievable.”
Barney also praised Flinn’s efforts.
“She was fantastic, Barney said.
“She was off the line, she was ready. Some of those chances she came off, and if she didn’t it would have been a goal.”
The Pirates strung together more attacks in the first half, including a low-spinning shot just wide of the left post by Lexi Krieger in the 20th minute.
A well-placed Brittney Yoshimura free kick from just off the top of the goal box was bobbled by T-Birds keeper Tessa Bruland, but gathered in before Peninsula’s Paxton Rodocker could try for a rebound goal.
The Pirates spent much of the second half on defense with Highline continually looking to find 5-foot-11 forward Madison Gale.
“They attacked on the right wing a lot,” Anderson said.
“Gale’s a really talented player and I think they spent a lot of energy trying to get the ball on her feet.”
Gale was defended much of the time by Peninsula co-captain Brooke Yoshimura, who gives up 10 inches to the taller Gale.
“Brooke did a great job against her. That’s a difficult matchup for anybody and I thought she was totally up to the task,” Anderson said.
Anderson also praised Kai Mahuka, who normally plays defender, for her performance as a defensive midfielder in another tactical move to counter the T-Birds’ offense.
The Pirates route to the West title is clear: they must get at least two wins and a tie in their remaining three games — against Bellevue at home at 1 p.m. Saturday, home versus Grays Harbor on Wednesday and at Olympic on Saturday, Nov. 1.
________
Sports reporter Michael Carman can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
