They can sail under the radar no longer.

Just days after the Pirates found themselves ranked No. 2 in the most recent NWAACC poll – the highest in school history – Wenatchee Valley came to town and knocked off Peninsula 1-0 on Oct. 10.

Knight Walter Quiros scored in the 80th minute to break a scoreless deadlock and hand Peninsula their first home loss since November 2007.

Peninsula struggled all game long with offside penalties and had chances for scores but came up empty.

Wenatchee outshot Peninsula 9-8.

Peninsula defender Steve Prevost and goalkeeper Jase Hall had solid efforts in the loss.

The Pirates host Everett in a nonleague contest on Oct. 14. Peninsula then hits the road for games at No. 4 Bellevue on Oct. 17 and at Tacoma on Oct. 21.

Pirates takedown

T-Birds

Peninsula initially made good on their No. 2 ranking with a last-minute, 2-1 home victory against Highline on Oct. 7.

John Troka’s corner kick found Steve Williams, who beat the Highline defense and keeper Liviu Bird for the clinching goal in injury time, his team-leading fourth score on the season.

The Pirates broke open a scoreless deadlock 19 minutes into the second half when Jabril Gude’s crossing pass glanced off Williams and on to Troka, who drilled it past Bird for a 1-0 lead.

Highline answered back 16 minutes later when Thunderbird Devin Thomas knocked a free kick to the far post, where Jarrett Thomas capitalized past P.C. keeper Jase Hall.

But Peninsula had the last laugh as Williams, a sophomore from Kenya, found the net.

It’s the first time in school history the Pirates have managed to beat Highline.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.