PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College women’s soccer team had an uphill climb all year to win the North Region, having to win its final game on the road against Skagit Valley to win the North championship.

Despite sitting in second place in the North most of the year, the Pirates are now No. 1. Not just in the Northwest Athletic Conference, but nationally.

The Peninsula women (15-0-2) were ranked No. 1 this week among Division II community and junior colleges by the United Soccer Coaches. They had been ranked No. 2 much of the year. They were also ranked No. 1 in the NWAC, passing previous No. 1 Skagit Valley, which the Pirates beat 2-1 last season to claim the North Region.

Coach Kanyon Anderson said the women have been ranked No. 1 nationally after the end of the season, but never in the regular season before.

“We’ve done so much and this is another high-water mark,” Anderson said. He said this year’s team has somewhat flown under the radar, partly because it was in second place behind Skagit much of the year.

But statistically, this year’s edition of the Pirates is as strong as any team Peninsula has fielded. The Pirates have scored more than 100 goals (103) in 17 games. The next highest team is Spokane, the new No. 2, with 69 goals.

The Pirates have also only allowed eight goals all year. They have eight shutouts and have not allowed more than one goal in a game all year.

Peninsula men

The Peninsula men (11-4-1), meanwhile, who had to win their final match of the regular season just to ensure a playoff spot in an exceptionally tough division, are also North champions and ranked No. 4 in the NWAC. The North Region’s Bellevue is ranked No. 5 and Everett is ranked No. 6. The Peninsula men are ranked No. 11 nationally.

Both the women and the men host playoff games Saturday at Wally Sigmar Field in the NWAC quarterfinals. The women play at noon and the men are scheduled to play at 2:15 p.m. The Pirates will learn their opponents today.