Sophomore center back Halle Watson was named NJCAA Division I All-American and fellow center back Samantha Guzman was named NJCAA Division I First Team All-West Region, as announced this week by the United Soccer Coaches.

Watson and Guzman also earned NWAC honors, as North Region All-Stars, representing a team that allowed only 10 goals the entire season – and no goals in the three playoff matches leading to the program’s fourth NWAC championship.

“Congratulations to both Halle and Sam for the well-deserved honors,” head coach Kanyon Anderson said. “They are the most physically dominant center back duo I have seen in my nine years in the league. They are good in the air, good in the one (on) one, good with the ball, good in communication and great competitors.”

Both sophomores are fielding offers to play at the next level and are expected to sign in the coming months.

“Having started together for two full years, they have developed a fantastic understanding on and off the field,” Anderson added. “Our entire style of play this year was based on knowing that we had two incredible central defenders.”

Peninsula didn’t give up a goal in the most recent playoff run, making Peninsula the first team in a decade to accomplish that feat (Columbia Basin, 2008), Anderson said.

“Coaches talk about getting certain players once in a decade and to have two at the same time has been so much fun,” he said.

Pirate soccer star signs on at UK

Peninsula College sophomore midfielder Tatiana Hagan signed a national letter of intent last week to continue her collegiate soccer career at the University of Kentucky.

“Playing in the SEC will be awesome; she will get a chance to play against national team-level players and players from all over the world,” PC head coach Kanyon Anderson said. “Kentucky is a young team and they are looking to add some leadership, which Tot will provide.”

Hagan, who followed her sister Tori to Peninsula from Reno, Nev., started at the midfield position for 20 of 22 games for the 2018 Northwest Athletic Conference champions.

“Playing at PC has taught me many lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, as well as gifting me with memories I will cherish,” Hagan said. “I’m excited to bring all that I’ve learned here with me as I move on to play at the University of Kentucky.”

She will join some other recent Pirate grads who are playing at the Division I level. 2017 NWAC Player of the Year Sydney Warren is at the University of Portland, sisters Emilee Small and Ellie Small are both at the University of Nevada Reno and Lexi Kreiger just finished up at Alabama State. Nine of Hagan’s teammates are also likely to be moving on, PC representatives said, as the signing period is just underway.