Peninsula stays perfect

Published 2:36 pm Friday, March 21, 2014

This is how to live up to the hype.

Ranked No. 2 in the first NWAACC men’s soccer poll, the Peninsula Pirates last week showed exactly why other coaches think so highly of the gold and black.

P.C. ripped Southwestern Oregon 3-0 on Sept. 15 and edged No. 4-ranked Clark 1-0 the next day, to escape with a long 2-0 road trip and take hold of first place in the NWAACC west division.

Peninsula (3-0-0 in conference, 5-0-2 overall) didn’t waste time pulling away from Southwestern Oregon in their match at Coos Bay. Patrick Wolverton netted a score just seven minutes in off a cross from Brian Holguin.

Miguel Gonzalez then scored off an Anthony Aguilar assist at 36 minutes, giving Peninsula a 2-0 halftime lead.

Gonzalez scored his seventh score of the season – tops in the NWAACC – a few seconds into the second half for the game’s final score; Brent Ricigliano had the assist.

Peninsula dominated play, outshooting the Lakers 17-5. Keeper Jared Wilson earned the shutout, nabbing three saves.

On Sept. 16 in Vancouver, Wash., Peninsula got a score from Dustin Walsh off a free kick in the 46th minute and held on by the slimmest of margins to take down the highly-ranked Penguins.

Wilson earned his second shutout in as many days, as Peninsula outshot Clark 8-6.

"Wilson had a great game in goal," Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.

The Pirates are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 25, at Pierce (Tacoma) before hosting Tacoma on Wednesday, Sept. 29, in Port Angeles.

NWAACC West Standings (as of Sept. 19)

Team Div. Over.

Peninsula 3-0-0 5-0-2

Tacoma 2-0-0 4-1-0

Olympic 1-1-0 1-3-0

Bellevue 1-2-0 4-2-1

Highline 1-2-0 4-2-0

NWAACC men’s soccer rankings

1. Walla Walla (3-0-0, 6-1-0)

2. Peninsula (3-0-0, 5-0-2)

3. Chemeketa (2-0-0, 8-1-0)

4. Clark (2-1-0, 4-2-0)

5. Bellevue (1-2-0, 4-2-1)

6. Spokane (1-1-0, 4-3-0)

7. Wenatchee Valley (1-2-0, 3-2-0)

8. Columbia Basin (3-0-0, 4-2-1)

Receiving votes: Highline, Pierce, Whatcom, Skagit Valley, Treasure Valley

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.