Sequim Gazette staff

It may not be the postseason, but it’s still No. 1 versus No. 2 and with plenty on the line.

Top-ranked Peninsula is set to host No. 2-ranked Highline on Oct. 22, with Highline’s Thunderbirds seeking some revenge after P.C. handed them their only loss, a 2-0 decision in September.

Peninsula got its final warm-up for the showdown with a 7-0 whitewashing on Lower Columbia on Oct. 15, the Pirates’ school-record 15th shutout of the season.

The Pirates (13-1-0 in conference play, 15-1-0 overall) have given up just one goal this season; the next fewest goals allowed in conference is Everett, with six.

Peninsula freshman keeper Manaia Siania-Unutoa had four saves to earn the shutout, her third of the season, and got plenty of help on the other end. Lexi Krieger, a freshman from Portland, Ore., finished with a hat trick, scoring goals in the fourth, seventh and 54th minutes.

Solana Ashe added two goals and Tasha Inong and Brittney Yoshimura also got in on the fun with solo goals.

Brittney Yoshimura contributed three assists, her twin sister Brooke had a pair of assists and Paxton Rodocker added two assists.

The score could have been a lot worse had it not been for Lower Columbia keeper Alexandria Aspinwall, who had a big day with 14 saves.

The Pirates got a bit of a reprieve with a bye on Saturday — traditionally a match day — and spent the week resting and rehabbing injured players in preparation for Wednesday’s showdown.

Peninsula takes on Highline (12-1-1, 14-1-1) at 1 p.m.

NWAC West Division standings

Team               Conf. Over.

Highline 13-1-1 14-1-1

Peninsula 13-1-0 15-1-0

Tacoma 5-7-2 6-10-2

Bellevue 4-5-5 5-5-6

Olympic 5-7-1 9-7-1

Lower Col. 1-13-0 2-13-1

Gr. Harbor 0-13-0 1-13-1