Sequim Gazette staff

There’s a reason why they call these matches “friendlies.”

The Kitsap Pumas, a Bremerton-based pro soccer squad, joined local soccer stars at the Sequim Soccer Spectacular on Saturday, putting on a show for local soccer fans and raising funds for the Sequim Community Playfields project at the Sequim High School stadium.

Craig Stevenson, Sequim Family Advocates board member, said the event and the “Day of Shopping” — a project that saw local businesses dedicate a percentage of their sales to the cause — raised about $7,000.

“The event went really well; we raised over $7,000 and I think everyone had a blast,” Stevenson said.

The event, organized by Sequim Family Advocates and created and led by board member Colleen Robinson, will help fund creation of a 14-acre site of multi-use athletic fields on land just north of Carrie Blake Park.

About five weeks ago, Sequim Family Advocates received a $105,000 donation from the Albert Haller Foundation, putting the group within about $50,000 of fully funding the first phase of the project, known as Sequim Community Playfields.

“It’s a good solid step toward finishing our fundraising,” Stevenson said of Saturday’s event, “but we’re not there yet.”

For more information, call Stevenson at 461-4455, e-mail info@sequimfamilyadvocates.org or see the group’s website at www.sequimfamilyadvocates.org.

On the field, the teams battled to a scoreless tie before the Pumas broke it open in the second half.

Kitsap’s Greg Miley had three scores, Danish attacker Mark Tubaek had a pair of goals and Nik Besagno added a tally.

Peninsula United, a team made up primarily of Peninsula College stars, alums and coaches, got goals from Muminur Chowdhury and Miguel Gonzalez.

“It was a great event; (there was) some great talent out there,” Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said.

Sequim’s Bill Batson manned the goal for Peninsula. The former Peninsula College Pirate — and school record-holder for saves — made several spectacular saves before the Pumas broke through in the second half.

“We’re definitely going to take a good look at doing this again,” Stevenson said.