PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles’ late pressure had North Kitsap on its heels, but the late-game expulsion of the Vikings’ goalkeeper wasted precious time and let North Kitsap leave Wally Sigmar Field with a 2-1 win over the Roughriders.
“The last 10 minutes of the game was wild,” Port Angeles coach Daniel Horton said. “It got really chippy, not sure why, we didn’t do anything differently. They were coming after us, bodies were flying everywhere and we got several free kick opportunities where we were close to scoring.”
Something Horton noticed early on led to two quick cards for the keeper.
North Kitsap’s Jenna Clark, left, tries to defend against Port Angeles’ Piper Williams on Tuesday in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
“Early in the game, I asked the referees to watch the North Kitsap goalie because she was coming out of the box with the ball in her hands on her goal kicks,” Horton said.
“So they called the goalie for a handball for coming out of the box with the ball and she didn’t agree and got a yellow and red [cards] for dissent and was sent off.”
Not going quietly, precious seconds ticked off the clock while Port Angeles’ Anna Petty waited for a free kick chance. Her first opportunity went over the bar, but North Kitsap was whistled for jumping and screaming before her kick, leading to another attempt which Petty buried.
Unfortunately for Port Angeles, no added time was given for the expulsion.
“Getting that red card sorted out ate up a whole bunch of time — four or five minutes — and they didn’t give us any stoppage time,” Horton said. “Our pressure was wearing them down, they weren’t handling it well, and it really felt like if we had some more time, we would have tied it.”
Despite the defeat, Horton said he felt his team played its best game of the year against its best opponent to date.
“We felt good walking off the field and we know these back-to-back tough games are as close to postseason as we can get in the regular season,” Horton said.
Port Angeles (4-1-0) visits Bainbridge tonight.
Bainbridge 4, Sequim 0
BAINBRIDGE — The Wolves couldn’t keep pace with the Spartans on the scoreboard in an Olympic League road loss on Tuesday.
“I thought we played well, we dominated possession, we created chances but couldn’t score,” Sequim coach Ken Garling said.
First-place 3A Bainbridge (5-0-0, 5-2-0) notched goals in the 14th minute and 30th minute for a 2-0 halftime lead.
“Their first goal came off the side of the foot of Bainbridge player, just got enough on it, a bit flukey, but good teams make the most of their chances,” Garling said.
Bainbridge also earned a penalty-kick goal and found the net in the final minutes.
“We kept creating chances and were moving the ball well, but Bainbridge really was solid at moving the ball from outside to inside and back out quickly,” Garling said. “And good teams can catch you out of position.”
Garling did have praise for his players.
“Jenny Gomez had an incredible game for us. She was on fire both halves,” Garling said. “Libby Turella as our defensive midfielder had another good game.
“And Ivy Barrett played well again. She continually stopped their strong striker and was able to hold her down much of the night.”
Sequim (2-3-0) hosts Bremerton (3-2-0) in an important league contest tonight at 6:45 p.m.
East Jefferson 6, Charles Wright 0
PORT TOWNSEND — The Rivals kept the score down as much as they could against a Tarriers team struggling with turnout and playing its first game of the season.
“We treated it like a game that would be a little bit easier and work on some things with our play,” coach Robert Cantley said.
“Most of the goals were early. It was 5-0 at half.”
Ava Shiflett scored twice and assisted on each of Iris Mattern’s back-to-back goals midway through the first half.
Kaylen Pray also notched a goal assisted by Matterns.
Natalie Zavalza also scored her first goal late.
“She’s a senior who has been with the team all four years but hadn’t scored before,” Cantley said.
Cantley also said junior Britany Bivian Santos, a first-year player, did well in extended time on the field.
East Jefferson (2-2-2) hosts Seattle Christian (0-4-0) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Chimacum High School.
Port Angeles’ Anna Petty, left, fights for control with North Kitsap’s Alyssa Peaslee on Tuesday night at Wally Sigmar Field in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles’ Becca Manson, right, steals the ball from North Kitsap’s Jenna Clarke on Tuesday night in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
