A full slate of preseason practices, a scrimmage against an NWAACC foe and
a pair of nonconference games still are not enough.
Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said questions remain with his Pirates after earning a pair of draws last week.
"We are still trying to figure things out," Chapman said, following a scoreless draw with Whatcom on Sept. 2.
"We’re doing some good stuff (but) we’ve got to get them used to playing with each other. And we’ve got to get some people healthy."
Not making an appearance on the pitch at Civic Field last Thursday were Pirates Brent Ricigliano and Aaron Oppeltz, a pair of sophomores expected to help lead the team. While Ricigliano, a midfielder, figures to be back soon, Oppeltz has an ankle injury that could put the defender out up to two weeks, Chapman said.
Against Whatcom, the Pirates saw few chances on goal with the Orcas in control for much of the first half. Freshman Miguel Gonzales of Yelm and Patrick Wolverton had good looks but couldn’t find the net.
P.C. goalkeepers Alec Risk and Jared Wilson each had three saves to shut down the Orca offense.
"It is great to see our defense not give up a goal and to have two goal keepers get shutouts," Chapman said.
A familiar face to local soccer fans lurked in Whatcom maroon, as sophomore Kai Antrim, Sequim High School’s top goal-scorer in school history and 2008 SHS graduate – saw time for the Orcas at midfield.
"Good memories," Antrim said as he looked out across Civic Field’s greenery, recalling Sequim-versus-Port Angeles games. In three seasons on varsity for the purple and gold, Antrim’s Wolves were undefeated in six games (5-0-1) against the Roughriders.
Now an Orca, Antrim likes his team’s chances of getting back to the NWAACC tournament.
"We should be right up there with P.C.," Antrim said.
The Pirate men (0-0-2) were slated to be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 7, versus Edmonds – results were unavailable at press time. Peninsula takes on Walla Walla on Sept. 8 on the road and are back at home to host South Puget Sound at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.
P.C., Everett play to stalemate
The Pirates officially opened their 2010 Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges season with a 1-1 tie at Everett on Aug. 31.
Following a scoreless first half, the Peninsula men gave up a goal three minutes into the second half. The Pirates rallied, however, when Gonzalez answered seven minutes later with a score.
P.C. midfielder Aaron Funderburk took a throw in, one-touched the ball over the defenders to a streaking Gonzalez, who took it in for a one-on-one with the Trojan keeper and put it in the net.
Wilson, a freshman goalkeeper, held Everett out of the goal in the first half and Anthony Aguilar, a freshman midfielder, played an outstanding match.
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
