Men’s soccer: Top-ranked Pirates top ranked Whatcom, Edmonds squads

Published 1:33 am Wednesday, September 28, 2016

North Division standings (as of Sept. 26)

Team Conf. Over.

Peninsula 5-0-0 7-0-1

Whatcom 4-1-0 5-2-0

Edmonds 2-2-1 5-3-1

Skagit Valley 1-2-2 3-2-2

Shoreline 1-4-0 2-5-0

Everett 0-4-1 1-4-3

Peninsula’s foes last week looked to solve the mystery behind knocking off the top-ranked Pirates and came up blank.

The Pirates (5-0-0 in conference play, 7-0-1 overall) scored a pair of shutouts against ranked teams to remain perfect in conference play and run their winning streak to six, an NWAC-best.

PC capped the week with a 3-0 shutout of No. 7-ranked Edmonds at home on Sept. 24.

Juan Carrillo opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he picked up a loose ball outside the box and beat the Triton keeper on the right side.

The 1-0 score stood up for most of the match, but the Pirates found some insurance in the 73rd and 77th minutes, courtesy of Carrillo and Saul Araiza.

Carrillo volleyed it to the near post where Araiza used the outside of his foot to direct it into the Triton mesh for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 PC lead.

The final score came when Carillo got the ball on the left side, turned his defender and put a shot on goal that was deflected by the Triton keeper; Araiza was there for the putback.

Pirate keeper Brannon Dwyer recorded his second straight shutout on a relatively quiet day in net.

PC shuts out Orcas

The visitors from Port Angeles dominated in a clash of highly-ranked teams, as Peninsula blanked the No. 6-ranked Whatcom Orcas 3-0 on Sept. 21 to take an early lead in the North Division.

“PC managed the game well and showed good composure and character,” assistant coach Jake Hughes said.

Peninsula got on the scoreboard in the 12th minute when Carrillo crossed a pass to Joey Hollimon, who headed it into the Whatcom goal.

That 1-0 score stood through halftime, but the Pirates added goals in the 53rd and 66th minutes. Salvador Vargas crossed a shot in front of the Orca goal where Jason Ramos headed it home. The final goal came when Cesar Gervacio beat Whatcom defenders off the dribble and was fouled. Vargas then bent a free kick into the bottom right corner.

Keeper Brannon Dwyer picked up the shutout.

Looking ahead

The Pirates play the second of five consecutive home games when they host Shoreline on Sept. 28. PC then takes on Everett on Oct. 1, Skagit Valley on Oct. 5 and Whatcom on Oct. 8.