TACOMA — The Port Angeles girls soccer team went up against the No. 1-ranked 2A soccer team in the state in its second-round West Central District playoff match and very much held its own for a half, keeping high-powered White River scoreless for the first 40 minutes.
The girls couldn’t maintain the defensive pressure in the second half and eventually fell 4-1 Tuesday. The girls will face a red-hot North Mason team at 7 p.m. today at Franklin Pierce High School. The loser goes home while the winner goes on to the consolation bracket championship match Saturday night
Coach Scott Moseley said the Roughriders adopted a defensive formation against White River, trying to knock the Hornets out of their rhythm. The tactic worked until a 10-minute stretch in the second half in which Port Angeles gave up three goals.
“We lost our concentration and a top team punished us,” Moseley said.
Port Angeles got a goal back when Millie Long beat her defender down the left wing that was played by Sierra Robinson to Delaney Wenzl, who placed it past the Hornet keeper to make it 3-1. However, moments later, White River picked up an insurance goal to help seal the win.
North Mason’s overall record isn’t that great (10-7-1) but the Bulldogs are peaking. They got off to an 0-4 start to the season, and just had a six-game winning streak — including five shutouts, a 2-0 win over Port Angeles and playoff win over Steilacoom — snapped in a 2-1 shootout loss with Fife Tuesday. And Fife is a top-10 ranked team, according to the Tacoma News-Tribune.
If Port Angeles wins tonight, the Riders will play the winner of Orting and Lindbergh at 3 p.m. Saturday at Franklin Pierce for a berth in the Class 2A state tournament.
Football Quilcene playoff game
POULSBO — Quilcene (8-0) will host a Class 1B Quad-District football playoff game at North Kitsap High School at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11.
The Rangers will play the winner of Saturday’s game between Mary M. Knight and Tacoma Baptist.
Quilcene, ranked fourth in the most recent Associated Press poll, have a bye this week.