Pirates reach NWAACC Championship
TUKWILA - The Pirates fell one goal short of their ultimate goal of winning the NWAACC soccer championship Sunday in a 1-0 loss to top-ranked Walla Walla, but their journey to the title match took them where no Peninsula College women's sports team had gone before. The Pirates' second-place trophy marks the highest finish of any women's team in the college's 50-year history. In only the second year of the program, the PC women found themselves on the threshold of a championship with one team standing in their way - and that team was all they were billed to be. Walla Walla was the two-time defending champion, they were unbeaten, and they had outscored their opponents 103-6 prior to facing the West Division champion and third-ranked Pirates in Sunday's NWAACC championship. The Peninsula women were prepared for Walla Walla's physical style of play, and their speed and toughness up front, but they weren't prepared for the center official to allow a rough, and at times dirty style of play that catered to the already talented Warriors. To Peninsula's credit, the Pirates battled very hard, they got up every time they were knocked down and they delivered a few knockdown blows of their own as the two prize fighters duked it out for 95 minutes. The only goal of the match came on a breakaway in the final seconds of the first half. Peninsula had a number of close calls, trying to find the equalizer, including two free kicks by Jackie Rodgers, a header that floated just over the bar by Tabitha Bare and the best opportunity, a sharply struck header by Shelby Solomon that stuck the Warrior keeper in the chest, almost knocking her back into the goal. When the final whistle sounded, the Pirate players were distraught about the outcome, but their parents and fans were there to support them as they accepted their second place trophy. It was the final match, and the end of a storied black and gold career for sophomores Krystal Daniels, Kimmy Jones, Carolina Flores, Ellen Rodgers, Tabitha Bare, Jackie Rodgers, Felicia Collins, Jessica Farrell and Shelby Solomon.
Pirates advance to NWAACC final with 1-0 win over Clackamas
TUKWILA - The Peninsula women were focused on winning the NWAACC and they got themselves into the championship match with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Clackamas in the NWAACC Semifinal on Saturday. The Pirates scored what held up as the only goal of the match 29 minutes in when Shelby Solomon got past a Cougar defender, penetrating the box from the left side and was tripped from behind. The official called for a penalty kick and it was Jackie Rodgers who calmly put it in the left side of the net for what proved to be the game-winner. Again, it was a stout Pirate defense led by goal keeper Krystal Daniels, who recorded her school-record 11th shutout, and the back line of Kimmy Jones, Felicia Collins, Aubrey Briscoe and Ashlyn Frizzell who made things very difficult for the Cougars.
Rodgers MVP, Anderson Coach of the Year
VANCOUVER - The Pirate women landed five players, led by West MVP Jackie Rodgers, on the Northwest All-Star Team and Kanyon Anderson was named West Division Coach of the Year, as announced today by the NWAACC office. Rodgers, a sophomore midfielder, has been an NWAACC standout for two straight years and was honored with the Most Valuable Player award this year. Joining her on the NW All-Star Team are fellow sophomores Shelby Solomon (forward), Felicia Collins and Kimmy Jones (defenders) and Krystal Daniels (goal keeper).
It's on to the ball for the Cinderella Pirates
PORT ANGELES - The Cinderella Story, that is the Peninsula College women's soccer team, moves into the final chapter as the Pirates advanced to the NWAACC Final Four with a nailbiting 1-0 win over Spokane Saturday at Sigmar Field. In only the second year of women's soccer at Peninsula, coach Kanyon Anderson's women have gone where no Peninsula College women's athletic team has gone before - the top four of the NWAACC. The Pirates tackle Clackamas at 1:00 Saturday at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila where a win would send them into the NWAACC Championship, set for 3:00 Sunday. In Saturday's NWAACC Quarterfinal Playoff, the Pirates rallied behind their very athletic and physical defense and midfield to control the ball and keep it away from Spokane's dangerous front line throughout most of the match. It was scoreless through 35 minutes when Jackie Rodgers got the ball to sophomore teammate Shelby Solomon, who booted a laser into the left corner of the goal for what proved to be the only score of the match. The Pirates were not able to add insurance to Somonon's goal, but it wasn't because they didn't have their chances. Defensively, however, the back line of Kimmy Jones, Felicia Collins and Aubrey Briscoe continue to dominate NWAACC opponents and it was their hard work, coupled with that of their midfield, that prevented Spokane from even getting shots off. A huge crowd, hoping to see the Pirates finish their home season unbeaten, were still chewing nails into the final minutes that included a Spokane shot on goal that should have tied the score. Sophomore Krystal Daniels, however, went high for what might be the biggest save of her career, preventing overtime. When the final whistle sounded, the PC women celebrated at midfield, completing a crucial step toward their ultimate goal of an NWAACC championship. The Pirates will practice at the Starfire Sports Complex at Tukwila Friday, they will attend the NWAACC Soccer Banquet at the Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue (host hotel) on Friday night and then open Final Four play Saturday at 1:00 against Clackamas.
Pirates host Spokane, Everett in quarterfinals
PORT ANGELES – Peninsula College has emerged as a men’s and women’s soccer powerhouse in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges – and the Pirates hope to parlay 2011 West Division championships into NWAACC titles beginning Saturday.
The Pirates host NWAACC quarterfinal playoff matches Saturday at Sigmar Field where they can punch their own ticket to the Final Four, set for Nov. 19-20 at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila. The women play Spokane at noon and the men tackle Everett at 2:00.
For the women, Saturday’s match marks a rematch of last year’s first round playoff, where the Sasquatch stopped the first-year program in its tracks in a 5-0 shutout at a sloppy Civic Field. This year, however, the Pirates are stronger, faster and deeper than they were in 2010. The PC women are ranked No. 3 in the NWAACC, they won the West with a 14-1-1 record, they are 15-2-3 overall and are unbeaten at Sigmar Field.
The Pirate scoring attack is spread out among seven or more players, led by the school-record eight goals from Shelby Solomon (Fairbanks, AK), seven from Jackie Rodgers (Seattle), six from Kelsie Ng (Waipahu, Hawaii), and five each from Kirah Kanari (Perth, Australia) and Tabitha Bare (Wasilla, AK). The Pirates have scored 51 goals this season and given up just 11. Goal keeper Krystal Daniels (Kent) has recorded a school record 9 shutouts.
The Spokane women (11-4-0, 15-5-0), who are led by the 23 goals from Alli Floyd and 18 from Nikki Caudill, are ranked No. 2 in the NWAACC, behind East champion Walla Walla. The Sasquatch have put the ball in the net 73 times and have given up 22 goals. While the Pirates haven’t lost since Sept. 17, the Spokane women have lost four of their last eight matches.
“We began the season with three important goals in mind: win the West division, play our best soccer in November and win an NWAACC championship,” said head coach Kanyon Anderson. “We knew there would be big hurdles along the way and this Spokane team is the biggest hurdle so far. Saturday will be a fantastic opportunity for us, and we are looking forward to seeing how good we can be.”
The Pirate men, meanwhile, have gone wire to wire as the top-ranked team in the NWAACC – and they would like nothing more than to finish with three straight wins to claim back-to-back NWAACC championships. Peninsula went 11-0-2 to claim a hat trick of West Division titles (3 straight) and have posted a 17-0-2 overall record.
The Pirates boast the No. 1 scorer in the NWAACC in sophomore Miguel Gonzalez of Yelm, who has tallied a Pirate record 31 goals. He also has 10 assists. Dean Gaynor of Ireland has 12 goals and 10 assists, Sean Prizeman of Ireland has 8 goals and Sergio Oliveira of Brazil has 6. Daniel Gonzalez, younger brother of Miguel, leads the NWAACC with 14 assists and Dustin Walsh of Port Angeles has 6. The Pirates have 11 shutouts this season, most of those recorded by last year’s championship MVP Jared Wilson, a sophomore out of Anchorage, AK.
As a team, Peninsula leads the NWAACC with 70 goals, while giving up a conference-leading 12.
Peninsula and Everett played back on Sept. 21 at Sigmar Field where the Trojans suffered a 7-0 shutout at the hands of the Pirates, their worst loss of the season.
“While it is great what these guys have done so far, winning the division and not losing a game this year, the men agree that they haven’t really done anything yet and really want the NWAACC title,” head coach Andrew Chapman said. “We are hoping we can stay healthy and continue to do what has made us great so far this year.”
Admission to Saturday’s playoff matches is free.
West champs finish 15-2-3, prep for quarterfinal playoff
BELLEVUE - The West Division champion Pirates wrapped up the 2011 regular season with a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs at Bellevue Saturday, pushing their overall record to 15-2-3 and their conference record to 14-1-1. The Pirates will have the week to prepare for a home NWAACC quarterfinal playoff match, set for noon, Saturday, Nov. 12 at Sigmar Field on the PC campus. Their opponent will be the winner of Wednesday's first round playoff matching Spokane against either Edmonds or Shoreline, who tied for third in the North. In Saturday's win against Bellevue, Ellen Rodgers got her Pirates on the scoreboard 23 minutes in off an assist fom Jackie Rodgers. That score stood until the 80th minute, when Aubrey Briscoe got the ball to Tabitha Bare, who put it in the net to provide some insurance. The final goal came in the final minute when Kelsie Ng scored off an assist from Kendra Miner. "We played a very good game," head coach Kanyon Anderson said. "The ladies are starting to peak at the right time."
Pirates lead NWAACC with 10 on All-Academic Team
PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula College soccer program is not only dominating the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges on the soccer field, but they are excelling in the classroom as well.
Ten members of the Peninsula College soccer program were named to the women’s and men’s NWAACC All-Academic Teams, as announced Wednesday by the NWAACC office in Vancouver.
The 10 Pirate sophomores represent the most of any college in the Washington/Oregon conference. They include Tabitha Bare, Jessica Farrell, Kimberly Jones and Ellen Rodgers from the third-ranked and West Division champion women’s team, as well as Michel Carbon, Yan Gioseffi, Miguel Gonzalez, Jake Hughes, Jeff Mullen and Adam Skowron from the NWAACC’s top-ranked men’s team.
“We have student athletes from all over the United States, and from all over the world, and they unite under three common goals: to be good students, to be good citizens and to win championships,” said Director of Athletics Rick Ross. “Our coaches recruit students who value those goals and we work hard to promote them throughout their athletic experience here at Peninsula. I’m very proud of this All-Academic recognition and, coupled with our efforts on the field and in our community, it confirms that our coaches and our athletes want to be NWAACC leaders in every category.”
Sophomore Day big one for Pirates
PORT ANGELES - The final regular season home match for 10 Pirate sophomores proved to be a recipe for disaster for the visiting Red Devils of Lower Columbia. PC fans, players and coaches honored Tabitha Bare, Felicia Collins, Krystal Daniels, Jessica Farrell, Carolina Flores, Kimmy Jones, Ashley Manker, Ellen Rodgers, Jackie Rodgers and Shelby Solomon prior to the start of the match - and that extra adrenaline did not bode well for the visitors as the NWAACC West Division champions bolted out to a 7-0 halftime lead en route to an 11-0 victory. Coach Kanyon Anderson played most of his bench and the Pirates, who have not produced much offense in their last few matches, made up for it against an injury-plagued and short-handed Red Devil squad. Ten different players scored for Peninsula, led by Kelsie Ng's two goals. Scoring the other nine goals were Shelby Solomon, Carolina Flores, Jackie Rodgers, Ashlyn Frizzell, Kimmy Jones, Ellen Rodgers, Tabitha Bare, Jessica Farrell and Brittany Dyer-Smith. The Pirates outshot Lower Columbia 31-2 in a match that was a complete turnaround from their 1-0 win over the Red Devils only two weeks ago in Longview. The NWAACC's third-ranked Pirates close out regular season play Saturday at Bellevue and will prepare for a second-round home playoff match against the No. 2 team out of the East at noon on Nov. 12 at Sigmar Field on the PC campus.
Pirates settle for home tie
PORT ANGELES - The good news Saturday was that the Pirates remained unbeaten at Sigmar Field and that no one got hurt. The bad news is they may have let down their guard a bit after winning the West Division title last week, settling for a 1-1 tie against Olympic. The Pirates outshot the Rangers 22-4, but only found the net once, that coming 11 minutes in on a very nice through pass from Kimmy Jones into the box where Kelsie Ng booted it into the net. Most of the match was played in front of Olympic's goal, but that somehow didn't produce another goal. The Rangers, meanwhile, used a goal by Jami Cantrell at the 69-minute mark for the equalizer. The Pirates (12-1-1, 13-2-3) have clinched a bye in the first round of the NWAACC playoffs and will host a second-round playoff match at noon on Nov. 12 with the winner advancing to the Final Four.
PC women claim first West Division Championship
DES MOINES - Pirate fans who witnessed their Peninsula women capture the college's first ever West Division soccer championship might have thought it was "another day at the office." The celebration was brief and rather subdued, considering how monumental the accomplishment was - winning a division title in only the second year of the school's women's soccer program. "I think they're pretty focused on winning the NWAACC Championship," assistant coach Alle Petty said. Winning the West was simply a step in that direction, but a pretty big step. PC's narrow 1-0 win over Highline Wednesday gives the Pirates the West title - and with it, a first-round bye in the NWAACC playoffs and a home match in the second round on Nov. 12. A win in that match, in front of their home fans, would propel the Pirates into the NWAACC Final Four, set for Nov. 19-20 at the Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila.
Against Highline Wednesday, the Pirates struggled a bit on the offensive end on the small, wet Thunderbird pitch, but the kept the pressure on throghout the match and did not allow many opportunities for the hosts. It took Peninsula 60 minutes to score. Jackie Rodgers ripped a free kick that Highline's keeper just barely got a glove on and deflected into the crossbar where the ball bounced in the direction of Peninsula's leading goal scorer Shelby Solomon, who put it in to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. The PC women continued to batter Highline's defense, getting outstanding play up front from Rodgers, Solomon, Kirah Kanari, Kelsie Ng, Caroline Flores, Tabitha Bare, Kendra Miner and Ellen Rodgers, but could not score again. At the other end of the field, Highline didn't get many chances, but the few they had were thwarted by keeper Krystal Daniels, who recorded her seventh shutout. Daniels had lots of help, as Kimmy Jones, Felecia Collins and Aubrey Briscoe led a back line that provided Highline's forwards a very frustrating experience. Deidra Woodward also had another outstanding effort for Peninsula. It was a total team effort - and the result proved to be the earliest a PC soccer team has ever claimed a division championship. The Pirates (12-1-0, 13-2-2) host Olympic at noon on Saturday.
Pirates stop Tacoma, could clinch West Wednesday
TACOMA - The Pirates won their 10th straight match and pulled within a match of claiming the West Division championship with a hard fought 2-1 win over the Titans of Tacoma Saturday. The PC women went up 1-0 on a goal by Morgan Atchley in the 7th minnute off an assist from Kelsie Ng and then won the match in the 78th minute on a spectacular free kick by Jackie Rodgers. "We had a really good second half and Jackie hit a great free kick," coach Kanyon Anderson said. His Pirates (11-1-0, 12-2-2) travel to Highline Wednesday where they could clinch a share of the West Division title. Game time was moved to 1:00.
PC ladies take giant step toward West title
PORT ANGELES - It may be superstitiously reckless to talk about a West Division title with five matches remaining to play, but not if that happens to be one of your goals. The PC ladies further distanced themselves from second-place Bellevue Wednesday with a 3-1 home win over the Bulldgogs. The Pirates opened the scoring nine minutes in with a goal by Shelby Solomon, her team-leading sixth of the season, off an assist from Morgan Atchley. The Pirates then made it 2-0 at the 36-minute mark on a nice goal by Jackie Rodgers off an assist from Kirah Kanari and that score stood through the half. Bellevue, however, rallied for a goal 13 minutes into the second half to tighten things up a bit, but the Pirates answered with a great blast from outside the box by Tabitha Bare, who bent one into the corner of the Bulldogs' goal off a pass from Kendra Miner to put it out of reach. The win gives Peninsula (10-1-0, 11-2-2) a 10-point lead over Bellevue. The Pirates travel to Tacoma on Saturday.
Pirates get past Lower Columbia
LONGVIEW - On paper, the West Division-leading Pirates were a shoe-in to beat last-place Lower Columbia, but sports events aren't played on paper. The NWAACC's 4th-ranked Pirates escaped with a 1-0 road win Saturday over a Red Devil team that was gunning for an upset. Kelsie Ng scored the game's only goal in the 34th minute and that goal stood for the final 56 minutes as LCC packed it in on defense the entire match. Pirate keeper Danee Brooks recorded a shutout in her first start. In addition to Peninsula's win, third-place Highline defeated second-place Bellevue 2-1 Saturday, giving the Pirates (9-1-0, 10-2-2) a 7-point lead over the Bulldogs (6-2-2, 6-4-2) who come to Sigmar Field for a huge West Division match on Wednesday. Kick off is 2:00.
Pirates pad West Division lead
BREMERTON - The Pirates answered a wake-up call that came in the form of a Ranger goal in the eighth minute to put three balls in the net for a 3-1 West Division victory over Olympic Wednesday. Kendra Miner scored the equalizer 18 minutes into the match off an assist from Emilia Stefanko. The Pirates then made it 2-1 on a goal by Shelby Solomon 67 minutes in and then put it out of reach on a Morgan Atchley goal in the final minute. Those second-half goals were assisted by Kirah Kanari and Kelsie Ng. The Pirates outshot Olympic 12-7. "We gave up an early goal only eight minutes in off a missed mark," head coach Kanyon Anderson said, "but the ladies rebounded and started to hit the ball forward and played hard until the very end." The Pirates (8-1-0, 9-2-2) travel to Lower Columbia Saturday.
Pirates shut out Highline 2-0
PORT ANGELES - The Peninsula women proved why they moved from No. 8 to No. 4 on the latest NWAACC Coaches' Poll, shutting out a very talented Highline team 2-0 Saturday to gain some room on second-place Bellevue in the early West Division playoff race. The two teams battled hard through an exciting, but scoreless first half before Kirah Kanari put the Pirates on the scoreboard with a goal in the 68th minute off an assist from Shelby Solomon. That 1-0 PC lead stood for 20 minutes before Solomon took a pass from Kanari just outside the elbow and instead of making a play toward the goal, she blasted the ball past a surprised Highline keeper Kyla Kitts as the fans celebrated the spectacular shot. Solomon came to PC and started her career here as a defender, but that powerful foot might be why she's playing up front. Meanwhile, PC keeper Krystal Daniels, recorded her sixth shutout and she had lots of help from the likes of Kimmy Jones, Aubry Briscoe, Ashlyn Frizzell, Felecia Collins and Ellen Rodgers. The Pirates (7-1-0, 8-2-2) travel to Olympic on Wednesday.
Pirates rock Tacoma 4-1
PORT ANGELES - The Peninsula women just get better and better with every match and they showed it Wednesday, turning back a pretty talented Tacoma club 4-1 to remain unbeaten at Sigmar Field. The PC women used goals by Tabitha Bare, Felicia Collins and Kirah Kanari to bolt out to a 3-0 lead at halftime. Those goals were assisted by Shelby Solomon, Kelsie Ng and Collins. The Pirates made it 4-0 on a goal by Kendra Miner on a nice cross from Sydney Bullington in the 88th minute before finally giving up the only goal scored in a women's soccer game at Sigmar Field this year, that by Tacoma's Sarah Fisher, also in the 88th minute. The PC women outshot Tacoma 17-3, but Krystal Daniels lost her shutout with a 1:05 to play on a defensive lapse. The West Division-leading Pirates (6-1-0, 6-2-2) host third-place Highline on Saturday.
Pirates honor Wally Sigmar's memory with pair of wins
PORT ANGELES - Pirate fans, family members and friends of the late Dr. Wally Sigmar could feel him smiling down Saturday as Peninsula College rededicated the newly-referbished Sigmar Field in a special ceremony that was sandwiched between the Pirate women's 4-0 win over Whatcom and the men's 5-0 win over their Orca counterparts.
With both Pirate teams lined up across the new artificial turf field, accompanied by a few dozen children representing Port Angeles Youth Soccer, Peninsula President Dr. Tom Keegan and former Board of Trustees chair Dan Wilder shared stories about their friend Wally in an emotional ceremony that included Jean Sigmar and her boys Erik and John, as well as family friends and even some former players of Wally's. Dr. Sigmar, who was named to the NWAACC Hall of Fame following a very successful coaching career at Skagit Valley Community College, came to Peninsula as the college's fourth president in 1993. He was instrumental in resurrecting intercollegiate athletics in 1997 and the college added a soccer program in 2000, the same year he passed away from a battle with cancer.
Not only would Wally have enjoyed the $1.4 million field improvements, but it's certain he would have enjoyed Saturday's games. The West-leading and eighth-ranked Pirates had trouble shaking Whatcom, clinging to a 1-0 lead at halftime on a goal by Ashlyn Frizzell, assisted by Sydney Bullington. The PC women, however, used a pentalty kick by Jackie Rodgers in the 82nd minute to pad their lead - and then they blew it open on goals by Carolina Flores and Shelby Solomon, assisted by Kendra Miner and Flores to win 4-0.
In the men's game, the fireworks started a bit earlier for the NWAACC's top-ranked Pirates, as Daniel Gonzalez made good on a pass from his brother Miguel Gonzalez 15 minutes in. Dean Gaynor made it 2-0 with a blast into the upper right corner of the Orca goal off an assist from Miguel Gonzalez. The next two goals came at the 33-minute and 36-minute marks, both from Peninsula scoring sensation Miguel Gonzalez, who was celebrating his 21st birthday. Both of Miguel's goals were assisted by Gaynor. Coach Andrew Chapman played his bench liberally in the second half, but his team was still able to punch in another goal, this one from Gaynor on an assist from Omar Ambrocio.
The PC women (5-1-0, 6-2-2) and men (5-0-0, 11-0) host Tacoma on Wednesday.
Pirates rout Skagit Valley 7-0
MOUNT VERNON - Peninsula head coach Kanyon Anderson has been concerned about his teams inability to score goals and has spent some time working on that aspect of the game at practice sessions. We'll, that emphesis, combined with a pourus Skagit Valley defense, resulted in a 7-0 romp over the Cardinals Thursday. The PC women got two goals from Kirah Kanari and solo goals from Kelsie Ng, Shelby Solomon, Tabitha Bare, Jackie Rodgers and Kendra Miner in the route. Jessica Farrell, Kahli Fagg, Jackie Rodgers, Ashlyn Frizzelle and Brittany Dyer-Smith contributed assists. The PC defense, meanwhile, has been very stingy with goals this year, and did not allow one for the third straight match as Krystal Daniels recorded her fourth shutout. The Pirates (4-1-0, 5-2-2) host Whatcom Saturday.
Sigmar Field Rededication set for Oct. 1
PORT ANGELES - Peninsula College will formally rededicate the newly renovated Sigmar Field at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1. Sigmar Field is named for Dr. Wallace (Wally) Sigmar, who was president of Peninsula College from December 1994 to 2000. He passed away on June 20, 2000. Peninsula College President Dr. Tom Keegan will keynote the special dedication ceremonies. Special guests include Sigmar’s widow, Jean, and members of the Sigmar family as well as long-time family friends. The ceremony will take place following the conclusion of the women’s soccer game against Whatcom Community College and the start of the men’s game. The women’s game begins at 12:00 p.m., and the men’s game is scheduled to begin at 2:15 p.m. “Wally was a huge supporter of soccer and was also a NWAACC-winning coach while he was at Skagit Valley Community College,” says PC President Dr. Tom Keegan. “I know he would be proud of the new facility and the fact that so many young and promising athletes will be able to play on this incredible new field. The refurbished playing surface has artificial turf, the first of its kind on the peninsula. It is also one of only a few such playing fields among community and technical colleges in Washington state. “We’re very proud of the facility and pleased that so many in the community and surrounding area also have an opportunity to take advantage of this beautiful playing field,” President Keegan says. Since the field opened April 1, more than 1,400 players have had the opportunity to play on the new surface, including 75 college players, 600 youth, 330 high school-aged players and 400 adults. The field also has a dedicated walking path around its perimeter, which provides for additional physical fitness options for both players and community members. New lighting, restrooms and improved access to the field were also part of the renovation project, which was completed by Premier Field Development, Inc. from Lake Stevens, WA. Sigmar Field is part of the Wally Sigmar Athletic Complex, which was dedicated in 2000 in honor of President Sigmar.
Pirates off to 2-0 start at Sigmar Field
PORT ANGELES - The Peninsula women opened their season with six straight road games and since then have found the going very smooth at home, winning back-to-back matches at the newly remodeled Sigmar Field including Saturday's 2-0 win over North Division-leading Shoreline. The Pirates got on the scoreboard just nine minutes in when Australia's Kirah Kanari booted one at the Dolphin goal and Sydney Bullington of Montesano directed it on into the net for a 1-0 lead. Kanari then increased that lead just 10 minutes later off an assist from Seattle's Jackie Rodgers - and that was all the Pirates needed. The PC women continued to dominate, outshooting Shoreline 26-5, but they did not score again in the very physical NWAACC match. Krystal Daniels recorded her third shutout of the season and made a spectacular save on a Shoreline penalty kick in the closing minutes of the match. The Pirates (3-1-0, 4-2-2) travel to Skagit Valley on Wednesday.
Pirates drop No. 3 Everett in first home match
PORT ANGELES - The Pirates got to play on their new artificial turf Sigmar Field for the first time Wednesday - and it was home sweet home as they upset the third-ranked Everett Trojans 2-0. The Pirates, who were ranked 7th in the NWAACC's pre-season soccer poll, scored in the last minute of the half when Aubrey Briscoe of Juneau, Alaska, booted one from the left side just through the outstretched hand of Everett keeper Chelsea Boulton. Zhaccierra Kanari of Australia had the assist. The battle of two teams, both likely to see the NWAACC playoffs in November, continued in the second half with hard fought soccer. Finally, with 19 minutes remaining, sophomore Jackie Rodgers from Seattle drilled the insurance goal off an assist from Kendra Miner of Wasilla, Alaska, to clinch the victory. Krystal Daniels recorded the shutout - and she did so with some tough backrow play from Kimmy Jones, Felicia Collins and Briscoe. The Pirates, now 3-2-2, host Shoreline at noon on Saturday.
Edmonds upsets No. 7 Pirates
EDMONDS - It's not easy to win on the road and the Pirates have yet to play at home. The Edmonds Tritons used their home field advantage to upend the Peninsula women 2-0 Saturday. Edmonds' Kaleen Berg scored both goals, one 12 minutes in and the insurance goal in the 73rd minute. The Pirates, meanwhile, continue to play well, but have had trouble scoring goals. "We missed two great chances to score and that came back to haunt us," coach Kanyon Anderson said. "We struggled to gain momentum. We gave up two breakaway goals." The Pirates, who slipped to 2-2-2 on the season, are home for the first time Wednesday and Saturday.
No. 7 Pirates shut out Green River
AUBURN - The seventh-ranked Pirates recorded their first shutout of 2011 with a 1-0 nod over the Gators at Green River Wednesday. Freshman Aubrey Briscoe scored the first goal of her collegiate career on an assist from Emilia Stefanko 28 minutes into the match - and that was all they needed, as the Pirates handed the Gators their first loss.The Peninsula women, who wrapped up non-conference play with a 2-1-2 record, travel to Edmonds for their conference opener Saturday.
Pirates ranked 7th in NWAACC poll
OLYMPIA - Despite their 1-1-2 record, the NWAACC endorsed the talent level at Peninsula by ranking the Pirates No. 7 in the pre-season women's soccer poll. The Pirates dominated Warner Pacific, a four-year college in Portland, in a non-conference match in Olympia Saturday, only to settle for a 1-1 tie. Jackie Rodgers scored her first goal of the season to put the Pirates out in front, but the WP women endured a barrage of Pirate shots and scored one of their own in the second half to escape with a 1-1 tie. The Pirates travel to Green River on Wednesday
Pirates drop Clark 2-1 on road
VANCOUVER - The Pirates recorded their first win of 2011 Saturday with a 2-1 non-conference nod over the Penguins at Clark. After a scoreless first half, Carolina Flores scored her second goal of the season for Peninsula just minutes into the second period on an assist from Sydney Bullington. Clark answered 12 minutes later, but the PC women were hungry for a win - and they got one when sophomore Shelby Solomon scored off a Kelsey Ng corner kick in the game's 78th minute. The Pirates held on for the final 12 minutes to go home with the victory. The Pirates travel to Warner Pacific Saturday.
Pirate women play well at NWAACC Friendlies
TUKWILA - The Peninsula College women kicked off the second year of their existance with a strong showing at the first annual NWAACC Friendlies soccer tournament, but wound up without a win to show for it. The Pirates outplayed Columbia Basin Wednesday, only to fall 1-0, as the PC women outshot and outplayed the Hawks, but couldn't put the ball in the net. Then, on Thursday against Yakima, the Pirates went up 1-0 on a goal by Carolina Flores in the opening minutes of the match, but they later gave up a penalty kick and had to settle for a 1-1 tie, dispite outshooting and outplaying the Yaks. Coach Kanyon Anderson's team was learning a new formation. Look for that team to bust out amid the NWAACC's finest when they get on track in the coming weeks. The Pirates travel to Clark on Saturday.
Miner, Solomon sign with PC women's team
PORT ANGELES – Alaska soccer standouts Kendra Miner and Shelby Solomon have signed national letters of intent to play for Peninsula College this fall.
Miner scored 14 goals and added 8 assists leading the Class 4A Wasilla girls to a sixth place finish at the state soccer tournament. The senior striker was her team’s most valuable player, she qualified for All-Region and All-State teams and she finished her career with 28 goals.
“In addition to being strong, fast and an accurate finisher, Kendra reads the game well, has great leadership qualities and is willing to work hard for her success,” coach Kanyon Anderson said. “Kendra seems to have really hit her stride as a goal scorer in the last month after flying below the radar for a majority of her high school career. She scored seven goals in the postseason, including two hat tricks at regionals. Kendra's is poised to make a huge leap in her play and we are fortunate to have caught her at this stage. She is going to be a fantastic player for us."
Also expected to be an impact player for the Pirates is Shelby, who is transferring to Peninsula from Western Oregon University.
Shelby was a four-year varsity starter for West Valley High School and she was captain of her club team that won two Alaska State Championships. She played for the Alaska ODP team three years and made the Region 4 ODP team in 2009.
“Shelby is one of the highest regarded players to come out of Alaska over the last few years,” coach Anderson said. “Her dominant aerial game will make us strong through the middle of the field and dangerous on set pieces. She has also captained nearly every team she has played for, including two state champion club teams. Having already played one year of college soccer at Western Oregon University, she will bring maturity and focus to a talented group. We are excited to add such a talented and athletic player to our recruiting class and suspect that she will be one of the key contributors in what could be a fantastic season."
Two more sign with women's team
PORT ANGELES - Pirate women's soccer coach Kanyon Anderson continues to build what promises to be a West Division title contender with the addition of Kelsie Ng and Denae Brooks.
Ng, of Hawaii, played three years of high school soccer where she was the leading scorer for a team that finished in the top 10 at state. She was Second Team All-League as a mid-fielder and finished high school with a 3.2 GPA. She also played in the 2010 Far West Regionals as a member of the Hawaii Rush club team. She also played for the Hawaii ODP traveling team, which is a select team made up of players from all over Hawaii, in 2009.
"Kelsie is a hardworking, skilled central midfielder," coach Anderson said. "She passes the ball well and will contribute with assists and goals for us next year. Her commitment to playing solid defense makes her reliable and valuable. I think Kelsie will be a fantastic teammate both on and off the field."
Brooks, a goal keeper, was a two-year starter for Central Valley of Spokane, a school that boasts one of the strongest 4A girls soccer programs in the state. As a sophomore, she helped her club team to a regional championship and an appearance at nationals in West Virginia. She is entering her second season playing for the SPSL Spokane Black Widows, where she will play at the highest level of amateur soccer in the nation.
Off the field, Brooks has been working with Children's Miracle Network since she was five years old and she also serves as a volunteer coach for TOPS, a soccer program for children with disabilities.
“Denae Brooks is, first and foremost, a great person," Anderson said of his latest signee. "She is enthusiastic about soccer and about giving back to the community. You can’t go wrong having a person like Denae in the program, but, on top of that, she is a talented athlete. She has trained with some of the best goalkeeper coaches in Spokane and has great technical ability. I am pleased to have signed Denae. Her addition to the team will give us one of the deepest and most talented goalkeeping corps in the NWAACC.”
Women's soccer signs outstanding recruiting class
PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula College women’s soccer team is taking steps to follow in the men’s championship footsteps with an excellent recruiting class recently signed by head coach Kanyon Anderson.
The Pirates, who placed second in the West Division last fall in their first year of soccer, already have the fire power to win the conference – and the NWAACC – with the quality of players returning in addition to a recruiting class that reads like “Who’s Who in Northwest High School Soccer.”
Players who have already signed NWAACC Letters of Intent include Sydney Bullington of Montesano, Morgan Atchley of Ridgefield, Kelsey Lenherr of Tumwater, Ashlyn Frizzell of Wasilla, AK, Emilia Stefanko of Cascade, and Deidra Woodward of Olympia.
Bullington, a striker, is a Class A All-State selection, league most valuable player, First Team All-League three times and a 3.9 GPA valedictorian from Montesano High.
Atchley, also a striker, was First Team All-League three times and scored 27 goals her senior year, leading Ridgfield to a district championship and state playoff appearance. She sported a 3.9 GPA.
Lenherr, a defender, was First Team All-League and team most valuable player at Tumwater.
Frizzell, another defender, broke the Alaska State field goal kicking record for a female kicker in boys’ football and was the runner up for Regional Soccer Player of the Year as a junior. She is a three-time First Team All-Region player who enters her senior season this spring at Wasilla.
Stefanko, a midfielder, set the all-time scoring record for Cascade High in Leavenworth with 67 goals, 45 assists and six goals in one game. She was First Team All-League her junior and senior years of her high school career and is on the school’s honor roll.
Woodward, a midfielder, led her Olympia High team in goals and assists and earned First Team All League honors in the 4A South Puget Sound League.
“This is a fantastic recruiting class with players coming in from the Wenatchee, Seattle, Olympia, and the Vancouver areas, as well as one of the best players in Alaska,” coach Anderson said. “We have a mix of solid defenders, skilled midfielders and dangerous goal scorers. By adding this talent to the already gifted group of returning players, we should be able to compete for the division title.”
Anderson also praised the quality of his new recruits as student athletes.
“This incoming class is not only talented, they are also respectful, decent people,” he said. “A lot of our success this fall was the result of a positive and friendly team atmosphere - and the incoming recruits were chosen with an eye for maintaining that good team chemistry.”
“Sydney Bullington is a strong target striker with a powerful shot,” he said. “I expect Sydney to be a player that is consistently finding open space in front of opposing teams’ goals. She has a knack for scoring goals, and she has the physical presence to win the one on one battle against opposing center backs. She is a fierce competitor who is not content to lose or tie.”
“Emilia Stefanko has the skill, vision and passing ability to play in the mid-field but her accurate finishing, speed and strength make her invaluable as a striker,” Anderson said. “As the all time leading goal scorer at Cascade High, I suspect she will have an immediate impact for us. I feel that Emilia has the potential to be even better than she already is, and she is already a fantastic player. Her older brother, Matt, is a midfielder for the men’s team and played a huge role in their championship season.”
“Morgan Atchley lead her high school team to a 18-0 record and a district championship before losing to state runner up Overlake 1-0,” he said. “Morgan scored 24 goals as a senior. Her breakaway speed will force defenses to stay further back which will free up space for our talented mid-field group. Morgan can strike the ball powerfully with either foot and will be a nightmare for defenders.”
“What I really like about Deidra Woodward is her physical presence in the midfield,” Anderson said of his Olympia recruit. “She tackles hard and will win loose balls for us allowing us to stay in the attack. She was highly recruited by Evergreen State College.”
“Kelsey Lenherr understands the game as well as any player I have seen at the high school level,” Anderson said. “ She is always in the right spot, she cuts off passing angels and she communicates well with her teammates. In addition to her ability to organize a defense, she has great skill and passing ability. Once she wins the ball, she uses her vision and accuracy to start quick and dangerous counter-attacks. Kelsey could be successful at any position on the field. She was highly recruited by Clark and Columbia Basin Community Colleges.”
“Ashlyn Frizzell comes with an incredible soccer resume full of awards,” he said. “She is blazingly fast and will chase down any opposing strikers that happen to get through the defense. Her speed will also allow her to get involved in the attack and take on some of the responsibilities of the outside midfield position. Her speed, skill and strength make her one of the most highly regarded players in Alaska.”
In addition to a star-studded group of returners, Peninsula also has Jordan Dineen, who transferred to Peninsula over winter break from NCAA Division 2 New Mexico Highlands University after a great freshman year where she played over 45minutes a game, and scored a goal in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. Jordan declined a full scholarship offer in order to move back closer to family in the Northwest.
“Jordan is a highly skilled player with a knack for creative play,” Anderson said. “She has the ability to beat players off the dribble, hit long and accurate crosses and score goals from distance. She will be a major contributor in the midfield and is a selfless teammate. We are lucky to have her.”