Pirates in line for playoff spot

by MICHAEL DASHIELL

Sequim Gazette

Forget what the schedule reads. The playoffs begin now.

Peninsula’s Pirates have put themselves in a perfect chance to advance to the NWAACC tournament in just their first season of play following a 4-1 win at Olympic on Oct. 30.

Peninsula overcame an early Olympic goal with four unanswered scores, two from freshman Neeya Hansen.

The win puts Peninsula in third place in the NWAACC West division with two games remaining. The Pirates are at league-leading Bellevue on Nov. 3 and host Green River on Nov. 6. A win in either game likely locks up that third playoff spot and final tourney berth.

“If we do what we’re supposed to do, we’re set (for the playoffs),” Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson said.

The Pirates took a big step toward that Saturday. After Angelique White gave Olympic a 1-0 lead about 20 minutes in, Peninsula’s Ellen Rodgers set up Hansen for a score 10 minutes later.

With a 1-1 tie at halftime, the Pirates ripped the nets for three, second-half goals. Jessica Farrell scored an unassisted goal at the 57-

minute mark, her fifth of the season.

At 70 minutes, Rodgers set up Tabitha Bare for a score. Three minutes after that, Rodgers picked up her third assist, finding Hansen for the final goal.

Pirates, Thunderbirds fight to a draw

The standings show that Highline is the second-best team in the west division. But P.C. coach Kanyon Anderson says his team is better where it counts: on the pitch.

The Pirates had a 2-1 lead late in an Oct. 27 match with the Thunderbirds at Port Angeles’ Civic Field until Highline’s Emilie Ludlow got the equalizer with just four minutes remaining.

The Pirates had to settle for a 2-2 draw and missed a chance at further locking down a playoff spot.

“I’m pleased with that result,” Anderson said. “Nobody’s beating them. It’s a point that most teams aren’t getting.”

After a scoreless first half, Bare put Peninsula up 1-0, taking a feed from Ellen Rodgers.

Highline tied it up at the 77-minute mark as Nicole Brunette found the net.

Peninsula looked to have the game-winner four minutes later, as Farrell set up Shawna Thein for a score. But Highline’s Ludlow responded soon after.

“We know we were the better team,” Anderson said. “That (game) is something you build on. We’re all freshmen. It takes a while to believe we can compete with anyone in the league. No one in this league is going to improve more than us. At some point in the season, (our players) will act more like sophomores.”

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.