COLLEGE SOCCER: Peninsula men win with international flavor

PORT ANGELES — At Wally Sigmar Field, the Peninsula College men’s soccer team had the flags of a dozen or so nations flying — Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Great Britain and Spain included.

And the international flavor of the Pirates was on full display in Thursday’s season-opening 4-0 win over Wenatchee Valley.

Pau Vivas Ayala from Barcelona, Spain, playing in his first game for the Pirates, tallied all four goals in the first half. Two goals were assisted by Don Vaios Dovas from Hamburg, Germany.

Another was assisted by Tim Deser of Obing, Germany, a Pirates’ returner from 2021.

Ayala’s fourth goal was on a direct free kick just outside the penalty area.

Ayala said he’s had four-goal games before in Spain. But, he didn’t see this coming in his Peninsula College opener.

“I really didn’t expect to have a game like this,” he said.

Ayala had a hat trick within the first 19 minutes of the game. Probably his prettiest goal was his second. He took a pass, made a reverse spin move to lose a Wenatchee Valley defender, then booted the ball left-footed over the goalkeeper’s head.

“He’s a very talented player. He really has an eye for the goal,” said head coach Jake Hughes. “You can’t coach the ability to find the net. He just has a natural ability to score.

Hughes said Ayala had a great all-around game and deserves credit for that.

“Goals are great, but he also worked very hard,” Hughes said.

Shutout in goal

Other than Ayala’s goal-scoring, another highlight was the play of the defense that didn’t allow Wenatchee many chances.

Goalkeeper Alejandro Lopez made one spectacular diving save in the second half to stop a hard shot headed to the corner of the net.

Hughes said that overall, he thought the Pirates played with a lot of maturity and intensity.

One down note on the day was an injury to Alfie Tucker, a new English player for the Pirates.

Tucker collided hard with a Wenatchee player who landed on top of Tucker and injured his sternum and ribs, requiring him to leave the game and receive medical attention.

“He’ll be all right,” Hughes said. “I think it was a bit of a scare.”

In-game water breaks

The game was played in low-80s heat, requiring water breaks during the first and second halves. A slight cloud cover kept the heat from getting too extreme, however, and there were no problems with players cramping up.

Peninsula next plays Blue Mountain in the NWAC Friendlies in Tukwila on Tuesday.

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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.