By MICHAEL DASHIELL

Sequim Gazette

Recently ranked No. 2 by NWAACC coaches, Peninsula’s Pirates showed that ranking is deserved with a 4-0 road win at Pierce on Sept. 25.

Patrick Wolverton scored two of P.C.’s goals, all four of which came in the first half, while keeper Jared Wilson earned the shutout.

“We played really well and had a great first half,” Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said. “Our defense is playing good right now, which allows us to keep the offensive pressure on.”

Wolverton opened the scoring at the 20-minute mark off a Brent Ricigliano pass, then set up Miguel Gonzalez for his eighth goal of the season for a 2-0 lead.

Gonzalez returned the favor three minutes later, finding Wolverton for a score at 31 minutes in.

Wolverton now has four goals on the season.

Matt Stefanko closed the scoring just before halftime, taking an assist from Anthony Aguilar for Stefanko’s first goal of the campaign.

Pierce came into Saturday’s match-up with a 2-2-2 overall record and ranked just out of coach’s top-eight poll.

The Pirates host Tacoma, the NWAACC West’s No. 2 team, at 4 p.m. on Sept. 29, then host Chemeketa at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.