North Division standings
Team Conf. Over.
Peninsula 13-0-0 14-1-1
Whatcom 7-4-2 8-5-3
Shoreline 6-3-4 8-3-4
Everett 7-6-0 9-7-0
Edmonds 1-10-2 1-12-2
Sk. Valley 0-11-2 0-12-3
With a division title already locked up, Peninsula looked to rest some of its starters Saturday at Skagit Valley. Turns out the Pirate bench has plenty of game, too.
Sequim High grad and redshirt freshman Leslie Cisneros scored the first two goals of her collegiate soccer career — coming in the 18th and 34th minutes — to put the Pirates out in front as they rolled to an easy 5-0 win against North Division cellar-dweller Skagit Valley on Oct. 22.
Emilee Greve and Heidi Vereide, Cisneros’ former SHS Wolves’ teammate, set up Cisneros on the goals.
The Pirates then put the game away with three goals in the second half, scored by Jayna Morikawa, Greve and Sydney Warren. Assists came from Vereide, her second of the day, Warren and Cisneros.
Keepers Malia Henderson, Cicely Warnick and Natalie Carreon, along with a stout Pirate back line, combined for the shutout.
“We were able to rest several of our starters so that we can be healthy in November,” PC head coach Kanyon Anderson said. “I was pleased that some of the players who have been in more of a supporting role were able to come out and put together an organized, skillful 90 minutes.”
Anderson credits his entire roster for his teams’ success this year.
“Without the contributions of every player on the roster, we would not be in the great position we are in right now,” he said. “And it is great to see different players getting some of the limelight today.”
The Peninsula women are ranked No. 1 in the NWAC and are 16th in the national poll.
Peninsula won its sixth straight division title at home on Oct. 17.
Edging Everett
The Pirates got a true test three days prior, still managing a 2-0 win against Everett’s Trojans.
The two teams battled through a scoreless first half, and it wasn’t until forward Hoku Afong subbed back into the match in the 70th minute that the Pirates gained control. The sophomore connected on a spectacular header on a ball played into the box by Malia Brudvik, and then the two teamed up for another score just two minutes later.
The goals gave Afong a team-leading 11 on the season.
The Pirates, who rested starters throughout the match, held on to win by that 2-0 margin, earning the seventh shutout for keeper Akari Hoshino.
“Everett is fighting for their playoff lives and have been as hot as any team in the division for the last few weeks,” Anderson said. “They are an athletic and talented team and I was pleased with our ability to fight hard for a result even know we clinched the division a few days ago. It says a lot about the competitive spirit of this group. We were able to rest a handful of players with nagging injuries. “
Anderson praised Hoshino for her work in the net.
“She was tested a bit more today and handled it very well,” he said.
Looking ahead
The Pirates are at Whatcom on Oct. 26 before finishing the regular season at home against Edmonds on Oct. 29.
The NWAC tournament opens Nov. 2 with pigtail playoff games.
With a North Division title in hand, Peninsula is guaranteed a bye in the first round and a home quarterfinal playoff match at noon on Nov. 5.
The Pirate women face the winner of a Nov. 2 match against the second-place finisher from the West — currently Tacoma — and the third-place finisher from the East, currently Walla Walla.
The Final Four is set for Nov. 11-13 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.
