BELLINGHAM — Peninsula College’s men’s and women’s soccer teams are both tied for first place in the Northwest Athletic Conference North Division.
For the Peninsula women, that means they kept pace with Everett by defeating Whatcom 6-0 on the road Saturday.
The fist-place tie for first isn’t such great news for the Peninsula men, who were unable to capitalize on scoring chances in a 3-0 loss to Whatcom.
The Pirates (6-1-2, 8-2-3) and Orcas (6-1-2, 7-2-2) are now equal in the North standings with 20 points apiece.
Whatcom tallied goals in the 15th, 52nd and 82nd minute on Peninsula backup goalkeeper Josh Heckenlively.
Heckenlively, a freshman, made six saves in the game, which is a season-high for the Pirates this season. Nick Johnson, who leads the NWAC with six shutouts, has made five saves on three occasions.
Peninsula has failed to score a goal in two consecutive matches, following a scoreless tie with Skagit Valley on Wednesday.
The Pirates will look to get off the schneid Wednesday at home against Edmonds (3-4-2, 3-6-3) at 4 p.m. at Wally Sigmar Field.
The Tritons have allowed 24 goals this season, the second-most in the division.
Women’s Match
Peninsula 6, Whatcom 0
Manaia Siania-Unutoa had an easier outing than Heckenlively.
The Peninsula women’s goalkeeper recorded her eighth shutout of the season — which is tied for the conference lead — without making a save.
Audrey Barham put the Pirates on the board early with a goal in the third minute off an assist by Kameryn Jury-Hale.
Barham also scored Peninsula’s fifth goal of the game in the 57th minute.
Elizabeth Hornsey added a goal in the 30th minute and Ellie Small scored in the 32nd to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Myu Ban scored in the 52nd minute and Barham netted her second goal five minutes later to extend the lead to 5-0.
Lexi Krieger finished off the scoring in the 91st minute.
“We have now put together a stretch of four good games. We are attacking with some purpose but we are still defending well,” Peninsula coach Kanyon Anderson said.
“The win against Whatcom was nice because they are an organized defensive side who don’t give up many goals. The most they had given up previously was three.
“The weather was pretty crazy with winds and heavy rains, but we were able to focus on the game and get the result we hope for.”
Next up for the Pirates (8-1-0, 13-1-0) is a three-game home stretch that begins against Edmonds (3-6-0, 4-7-1) on Wednesday at 2 p.m.