In an already up-and-down 2009 season, Peninsula’s Pirates can lay claim to what few NWAACC teams have been able to do in recent years: trap the Sasquatch.

Peninsula overcame a late 1-0 deficit with three goals in the final 25 minutes to beat the Spokane Sasquatch in Spokane on Sept. 26.

Spokane, which edged Peninsula in last season’s third/fourth place game in the NWAACC playoffs and a perennial high-ranked squad, took a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the game on an unassisted goal from Andrew Mastronardi and held that lead at halftime.

But the Pirates rebounded with a vengeance, getting the tying score from Brent Ricigliano at 67 minutes off

an assist from Mike Avey.

Avey scored six minutes later off an assist from Omar Anderson.

Peninsula built a 3-1 lead when Steve Williams scored on an assist from Jaime Camarena. It was Williams’ team-leading third score of the season.

Despite picking up a yellow card, P.C. keeper Jase Hall earned the win.

It was Peninsula’s third match in four games against a ranked opponent (Spokane is ranked No. 6). It was also Peninsula’s first win against Spokane in the school’s history.

"We played really well in the second half and Jase had two terrific saves to keep us in the game until we finally found the back of the net," Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.

The Pirates (1-1-1 in conference play, 4-3-2 overall) are at Olympic in Bremerton on Sept. 30 before hosting No. 2 Walla Walla at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Pirates fit to be tied

Haven’t we been here before?

For the second time this season, Peninsula was just a few minutes from a one-goal win against a ranked opponent only to settle for a tie.

The Pirates battled Pierce College to a 2-2 nonleague stalemate on Sept. 23.

Cory Matthews opened the scoring at 13 minutes off a well-placed throw-in from Steve Prevost.

Pierce’s Tyler Decker tied the game 10 minutes before halftime.

Peninsula got a go-ahead goal from John Troka off another Prevost throw-in at 70 minutes and held it for eight minutes until Raider Jeremy Maldonado scored unassisted past P.C. keeper Alec Risk for the 2-2 finish.

Peninsula out-shot Pierce 17-6.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.