A playoff atmosphere a bit early? Possibly.

Peninsula’s women capped their regular season with a home victory, knocking off rival Bellevue 2-1 on Saturday in preparation for the NWAACC playoffs.

Peninsula (20-1-0 overall) gets a bye in the first round of the conference postseason tourney and plays at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, in Port Angeles against either Lane or Treasure Valley.

Against Bellevue’s Bulldogs, Peninsula all-time leading scorer Brianna Afoa got her 20th tally of the campaign at the 39th minute off a Morgan Atchley feed.

Annie Armstrong made it 2-0 Peninsula after finding the net at 52 minutes, with Jordan Dineen earning the assist.

Bellevue’s Laura Barnes spoiled the shutout with a score in the 63rd minute.

On Oct. 31, Peninsula shut out Olympic 4-0 in Bremerton, getting two first-half goals from Afoa. Dineen and Miranda Sochacki added scores in the second half.

Ashlyn Crossan, Ashlyn Frizzelle and Emilia Stefanko had assists.

P.C. keeper Laura Morgan recorded the shutout.

Peninsula finishes the regular season as the NWAACC leader in goals (107), and shutouts (12), is fifth in the conference in goals against (11), and is ranked nationally (see below).

Afoa tied for second in the NWAACC in scoring while Dineen finished second in assists with 14. Denae Brooks tied for third in shutouts with seven.

Postseason in sight

After winning the NWAACC West Division and earning a first round playoff bye, Peninsula now awaits the winner of the Nov. 7 Lane (South No. 2 seed) versus Treasure Valley (East No. 3) matchup. 

Jodie Reoch leads the low-scoring, defensive-minded Lane squad with four scores.

Regan Hyde is Treasure Valley’s top scorer with 14 goals.

Peninsula stays at No. 11

The Pirate women are holding fast to their No. 11 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Junior College Division I Top 20 Poll.

See current rankings and updates at www.nscaa.com/rankings.