PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College men’s and women’s soccer teams are off to a historic start for the 2012 season.
On the same day the teams knocked off West Division archrival Highline on the Thunderbirds’ field in Des Moines, the NWAACC announced that the Peninsula men’s and women’s teams were ranked No. 1 among all of the community colleges in Washington and Oregon in the Alaska Airlines Coaches’ Poll.
This marks the first time in Peninsula College history that two teams achieved the top ranking in the same season.
The victories over the Thunderbirds on Wednesday is huge, Peninsula athletic director Rick Ross said.
“Typically, the Thunderbirds represent our toughest competition in the West Division, and for us to win those games on their home turf sets us up well for the possibility of repeating as West champions,” Ross said.
“There is a lot of soccer left to play, and everyone will be gunning for us, but it’s a credit to our coaches, players and fans to be where we are now, and we have high hopes of pushing all the way through the Final Four.”
Men’s Soccer
Peninsula 2,
Highline 0
DES MOINES — Guilherme Avelar recorded the shutout for the Pirates while Morgan Lemus and Daniel Gonzalez scored the goals.
The Pirates remain perfect in conference at 3-0-0 and improve to 8-1-0 overall while Highline falls to 1-1-0 and 4-1-1.
“Anytime you have a game that is as big as this one, it will be a very physical and emotional battle,” Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.
“Both teams were tied for first in the division, and with the latest NWAACC polls Peninsula was ranked No. 1 and Highline was ranked No. 3.
“Fans sure got their money’s worth yesterday. It was a very tough game that resulted in big-time goals and huge saves by both keepers.
“This win was huge for us because it puts us alone in first place and could make the difference at the end of the season on who wins the West Division.”
Lemus scored the first goal at 73 minutes while Gonzalez hit paydirt at the 85th minute.
Erick Urzua assisted with both goals as the Pirates outshot the T-Birds 12-7.
Avelar earned five saves.
The Pirates have two home games this Saturday.
The women play Yakima in a conference game at noon, and the men play North Idaho in a nonconference game at 2 p.m. at Wally Sigmar Field.
Admission is free.
Women’s Soccer
Peninsula 2, Highline 1
DES MOINES — The Pirates went ahead on a goal by Briana Afoa at 45 minutes.
Highline’s Taylor Holtman tied the game at 73 minutes but Briana Estrellado scored the evenual game-winner for the Pirates just six minutes later.
Rachel Sandoval had the assist for the winning goal at the 79th minute.
The Pirates are still perfect on the year at 3-0-0 in conference and 8-0-0 overall while the T-Birds fall to 0-2 and 2-3-1.
