BELLEVUE — The Peninsula College men’s soccer team came from behind with three second-half goals to not only beat Bellevue 3-1, but to grasp control of first place in an exceptionally tough North Division.
At one time this season, the men were in fourth place in the North. With Saturday’s win, they are suddenly all alone in first place with 22 points (7-1-1).
Meanwhile, the Peninsula College women got a first-half goal from Rylee Sims which held up the rest of the way for a 1-0 victory to remain unbeaten in league play.
Back to the men’s game, the Pirates gave up a goal to the Bulldogs in the 33rd minute. The Pirates went into the half down 1-0, having only gotten three shots off all game.
In the second half, Peninsula peppered with goal with 12 shots and scored three goals in 15 minutes. They got an equalizer in the 51st minute from Inchun Hun with an assist to Yusaku Simakura. Pau Vivas Ayala scored in the 61st minute with an assist to Alfonso Edfeldt. The Pirates got their final goal from Fernando Tavares in the 65th minute with another assist by Edfeldt.
The Pirates ending up outshooting Bellevue 15-3.
Women’s game
The women got a goal from Sims in the 30th minute with an assist to Chiaki Takase. Peninsula ended up with 14 shots and six shots on goal, but couldn’t get any other scores.
Meanwhile, keeper Frida Markstrom made three saves for the Pirates to earn the shutout.
The Peninsula women (4-0-0, 6-0-1, 12 points) next play at second-place Skagit Valley (3-0-1, 3-1-1, 10 points) on Wednesday in a match for first place in the North.
The men continue to be in a logjam at the top of North. The Pirates lead the way at 7-1-1, 22 points, while Skagit Valley is second (6-1-2, 20 points), Everett third (6-2-1, 19 points), Whatcom fourth (5-1-2, 17 points) and Bellevue fifth (5-3-1, 16 points).
The Pirates men’s team (10-1-1 overall) also has an important game at Skagit Valley on Wednesday.