OLYMPIA — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team went more than 40 minutes without a goal in the first half against South Puget Sound, spending much of that first half behind to the Clippers.

Then the Pirates unleashed hell. They scored their first goal of the game from Nil Grau in the 41st minute to tie the contest at 1-1.

The Pirates then erupted for seven goals in the second half, with Koya Kimura and Grau each tallying a goal in the first minute of the half. The Pirates also scored three goals in less than three minutes late to finish off their 8-1 victory.

The second-half outburst bettered a six-goal half by the Pirates earlier this season. In three games, the No. 1-ranked Pirates have scored 18 goals and allowed two.

Kimura finished with a hat trick and an assist, while Grau and Ezrah Ochoa each scored a pair of goals.

Grau also had an assist for five total points. Pau Vivas had a goal and an assist, and Taro Takemori added an assist.

Peninsula had 25 shots on goal. Pirates goalkeeper Laurin Lettow faced eight shots with seven saves.

Grau is now leading the NWAC with five goals and 12 points, while Vivas and Ochoa are tied for second with four goals each.

Peninsula (3-0) will next play a scrimmage at Western Washington University on Saturday and may schedule a game in early September, but nothing has been finalized. The Pirates begin North Region play beginning Sept. 11 at Skagit Valley College.

Women’s game

Meanwhile, the women beat Multnomah University 4-0 in a scrimmage game held at Wally Sigmar Field on Tuesday night.

Multnomah is a four-year NAIA school in the same conference as Pacific Lutheran and University of Puget Sound.

“We played it like a game,” said coach Kanyon Anderson. “We had good pressure and were organized defensively.” Anderson said the starters played about 60 minutes and reserves about 30 minutes.

The Pirates are 2-1 in exhibition games against four-year schools.

Goals were scored by Lauren Lasses, Shawna Larson, Anna Petty in the first half and Lexi Shelton in the second half.

The No. 1-ranked Pirates (2-0) play another scrimmage Sept. 4 at home against Northwest University out of Kirkland, then begin North Region play at Skagit Valley on Sept. 11.