COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Peninsula College’s Millie Long continued her torrid scoring pace to begin the 2022 women’s soccer campaign in a 4-0 win over North Idaho.
Long scored a hat trick in Tuesday’s win, her second multi-goal game in a row. In four games this season, she has tallied seven goals, tied for the most in the NWAC.
“She’s unbelievable. She can do that,” said coach Kanyon Anderson. “We’ve really tried to give her the freedom to make plays. It’s cool to watch her not have to do too much.”
All of Long’s goals were unassisted. Alexia Rodriguez-Burdeaux added an unassisted goal in the 83rd minute.
Millie Long.
Frida Markstrom earned the shutout in goal. North Idaho got off 11 shots and Markstrom made six saves.
After allowing three goals in the season opener, the Pirates have gone three straight games without allowing a goal.
Anderson pointed out that it’s seven straight halves the Pirates have gone without allowing a goal. Peninsula gave up three goals in the first half of its season opener against Spokane.
Anderson said in addition to Markstrom, the Pirates’ Rylee Sims and Lauren LaFountain “played well at the back,” while Kenzie Banner also had a good game at central midfielder.
“Really, it was a team effort,” he said.
Anderson said he had the team take the long road trip to Coeur d’Alene to give them some challenges. In addition to the 450-mile drive, North Idaho came in to Tuesday’s match undefeated.
“They have a grass field, and they’re good,” Anderson said. “It was a challenge and the women passed all the tests.”
The women (1-0, 3-0-1) are off for a week and a half. They return to action at noon Sept. 17 at Wally Sigmar Field in Port Angeles against Whatcom. Anderson said the team will take a couple of days off “to get as healthy as we can.”
The Peninsula College (1-1, 4-1) men played Wednesday at South Puget Sound after press deadline, then host Pierce (0-6) at 2:15 p.m. Saturday in Port Angeles.
