NANAIMO, B.C. — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team is accustomed to Bronte Fitzsimmons, Kasie Lough and Solana Ashe playing well.
But the Pirates aren’t used to that being a detriment.
In Peninsula’s first exhibition match of the season, Fitzsimmons, Lough and Ashe — all now former Pirates — helped Vancouver Island University to a 3-0 victory.
“PC alum Bronte Fitzsimmons tallied two of those goals, [goalkeeper] Kasie Lough got a shutout in the second half and Solana Ashe added lots of energy for VIU up top,” Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson said of Wednesday’s match.
The Mariners scored early to take a 1-0 lead into the half.
“In our first scrimmage of the season and many players’ first real college action, we showed our inexperience, giving up an early goal on quick restart corner kick,” Anderson said.
“In the second half, VIU scored again on a shot from distance and once at the end of the game on a defensive miscommunication.”
The following day, the Pirates played at the University of Victoria, and again, they gave up an early goal, this one on an indirect set piece just a few minutes into the game.
The Vikes scored another goal on a scramble in front of the box before the half.
They doubled their lead in the second half with goals in the 51st and 80th minutes to win 4-0.
Peninsula was without the services of two likely starters and played every player on its roster in both games.
“This trip was about testing our mental toughness against two strong universities — VIU went to the D2 national semifinal last year and UVIC is a perennial D1 national champion contender,” Anderson said.
“We are stronger for having taken this trip, and we have an idea now of who is most ready to be in the starting lineup.”
After a day off, the Pirates returned to the field to prepare for Northwest Athletic Conference competition, which begins this weekend at the NWAC Friendlies in Springfield, Ore.
Peninsula faces Treasure Valley on Saturday at 3 p.m., and then has a Sunday doubleheader, first against Columbia Basin at 8 a.m. and then Grays Harbor at 4 p.m.
