One dynasty looks to add another title to their storied past and another misses the conference finals by the slimmest of margins.
Peninsula College’s women scored a 5-0 shutout against Walla Walla on Saturday to advance to the NWAC Final Four this weekend in Seattle.
But their male counterparts, ranked No. 1 for much of the 2016 season, were shocked by No. 4-ranked Tacoma 4-3 in penalty kicks, ending PC’s hopes of a second-consecutive conference championship.
Peninsula’s women (18-1-1) made it look easy on their home field against the No. 8-ranked Walla Walla squad, getting first-half goals from Maddy Parton (11th minute), Hoku Afong (35th) and Ellie Small (45th).
Sydney Warren and Sarah Reiber added second-half goals for good measure.
Parton, Kennady Whitehead, Kelly Kevershan and Cierra Hamilton had assists.
PC keeper Akari Hoshino had three saves to post the shutout.
In the following men’s game, Peninsula twice took leads at PC’s Wally Sigmar Field only to see the Titans get equalizers.
Alex Ramos opened the scoring off a Michael Day assist at the 24-minute mark and it stayed 1-0 Peninsula through the first half.
Tacoma got even at 1-1 off an Adrian Correa score at 47 minutes.
Juan Carrillo looked to give PC the game-winner off a Ramos feed at 73 minutes, but Tacoma answered five minutes later when Correa found Mackenzie Smith for a score a 2-2 match.
Overtimes weren’t enough to decide it and Tacoma outlasted the Pirates 4-3 in penalty kicks.
Peninsula’s men finish the season 16-1-3.