PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College men moved into a tie for first-place with Whatcom in the NWAC’s North Division after a 1-0 shutout of Skagit Valley at Wally Sigmar Field.
Saturday’s win sets up a showdown between the Pirates (2-0-1, 4-1-2) and Orcas (2-0-1, 3-1-1) at Peninsula College on Wednesday.
“[We] started off slow but picked up the play towards the end,” Peninsula assistant Jake Hughes said.
“Johnny Martinez created a number of chances and looked explosive.”
Peninsula’s score came in the 64th minute when Martinez connected with Eddie Benito on a goal.
“Martinez took on players and cut in from the right side to play Eddie in for a clean finish at the near post,” Hughes said.
Later, Martinez was close to giving the Pirates some breathing room on two different chances.
“Johnny also hit the crossbar with a spectacular, powerful strike from outside the 18[-yard box],” Hughes said.
“Johnny blew by three players down the left side and got off a cross but didn’t find a target.”
Peninsula’s defense stood tall down the stretch.
“Jose Soto made a great defensive slide tackle late in the game to deny Skagit a shot on goal,” Hughes said.
“Trevan Estrellado also cleared the ball off the line with a great defensive play.
“We outshot and outplayed Skagit.”
Nick Johnson saved one shot in goal in picking up his third shutout on the season.
Women’s Match
Peninsula 8, Skagit Valley 0
Peninsula relieved some frustration from Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Everett with an 8-0 shellacking of Skagit Valley.
Seven Pirates found the back of the net, and the Cardinals contributed with an own goal in the 26th minute of Saturday’s rout.
Tasha Inong put Peninsula ahead 1-0 in the 17th minute off an assist from Ellie Small.
The goal was Inong’s sixth of the season.
Freshman Bri Jackson-Vallente had a huge game for Peninsula, scoring goals in the 21st and 81st minutes and chipping in with assists in the 29th, 44th and 85th minutes for the Pirates.
Jackson-Vallente and defender Kai Mahuka were named Pirates of the Match by coach Kanyon Anderson.
Brenda Torres-Hernandez tallied a goal and an assist as Peninsula pushed to a 5-0 halftime lead.
Lexi Krieger’s eighth goal of the season in the 55th minute moved her into a four-way tie for first-place for most goals scored in the Northwest Athletic Conference.
Hoku Afong and Audrey Barham also scored goals for Peninsula (2-1-0, 7-1-0).
Circely Warnick recorded her second shutout on the season.
The Pirates host Whatcom (1-2-0, 2-3-0) at Wally Sigmar Field at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
