PORT ANGELES — Peninsula let an upset-minded Skagit Valley women’s soccer team hang on too closely for comfort, but ultimately prevailed in a 3-2 win at Wally Sigmar Field.
“A mixed bag,” Pirates head coach Kanyon Anderson said of his team’s performance. “We did some things well and played some good soccer but I thought our game management at the end was really poor. We gave them too many chances to equalize.”
Anderson said Peninsula goalkeeper Andrea Kenagy made the play of the game in the 90th minute with the Pirates clinging to that 3-2 lead.
“Skagit had a breakaway and Andrea saved the ball with her face,” Anderson said. “She spread her self out as best she could to cover as much area and the shot went straight off her face. It was a huge save, but it was disappointing to give up that breakaway.”
All three Peninsula goals were scored by sophomore Sam Oliveira.
“Sam Oliveira was fantastic, she had a hat trick and has had five goals in her last two games,” Anderson said.
“She’s so smart, so skillful and just an amazing player.”
Skagit scored in the 4th minute but Oliveira’s first strike tied things up in the 23rd minute.
Three minutes on, Toni Powsey connected with Oliveira for a 2-1 Pirates’ lead.
And Oliveira made it 3-1 when she scored off an assist by Miya Clarke.
But Peninsula didn’t finish the game out in the manner Anderson wanted.
“We talked about not giving up silly fouls and we gave up a penalty kick,” Anderson said.
“I didn’t feel like we played in a very tactically astute way to finish the game out.”
Anderson said Sammy Howa and Grace Hipke performed well for the full 90-minute match.
“Sammy Howa did well and she played the entire game at a physically demanding position in the midfield,” Anderson said.
“Grace Hipke did really well. She played all 90 minutes at outside back and holding midfielder.
The Pirates (2-0-0, 6-0-0) visit Edmonds on Saturday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.