PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles girls soccer team controlled much of the early going against Olympic, before the second-place Trojans capitalized on some Roughrider mistakes and ran away in a 4-0 victory.
“Port Angeles started the game with a bang, dominating possession and shots against a top opponent,” Riders coach Scott Moseley said.
“Our first 32 minutes were awesome — great passing, shots and team play.
“But then, the psychological side of sports took over.
“A couple of defensive mistakes took our heads out of the game and we struggled to win back the consistency and passing that we had to open the game.”
Port Angeles outshot Olympic 14-13 on the game and earned four corner kicks to two for the Trojans.
But the Riders struggled defensively, gifting Olympic two scores off of Port Angeles own goals in the second half.
Moseley named goalkeeper Madelyn Wenzl, with eight saves, as the defensive player of the game.
“Mads had a very positive game — she made all the right decisions throughout the game.”
Port Angeles (4-6-0, 8-6-0) travels to Kingston today for a crucial game as the Riders fight for a postseason berth.
Port Angeles is currently tied with Bremerton for the Olympic League’s fourth and final playoff berth.
The Riders and the Knights each have two league games remaining.
Volleyball
Olympic 3, Port Angeles 1
PORT ANGELES — In a back-and-forth Olympic League matchup, the Roughriders fell 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 25-15 to the Trojans.
“It was a see-saw game for us tonight, and unfortunately we didn’t end up with enough momentum to earn the wins,” Port Angeles coach Christine Halberg said of Tuesday’s match.
“The girls made some awesome plays and improved in some areas.”
The Riders passing attack suffered in the first game.
“The first game we struggled passing, so it was difficult to get anything started,” Halberg said.
“We struggled serving consistently throughout the night. We just had too many errors and didn’t serve aggressive enough.”
Halberg praised Genna Orr for her two-way play on offense and defense.
“Genna Orr hit and blocked well tonight [with] five kills and two blocks,” Halberg said.
Kiana Robideau led Port Angeles with 10 kills, 13 digs and 15 assists.
Emily Johnson contributed seven kills, seven assists and 17 digs.
Brennan Gray added 15 digs.
Alyssa Sweet chipped in two kills, two aces and made seven digs.
Nikki Price and Natalie Steinman each totaled five digs.
“There were many long rallies with great saves and smart plays,” Halberg said.
“Olympic hit hard tonight and the girls had some pretty great digs.”
Port Angeles (3-7, 3-8) visits Kingston (5-4, 7-5) today.
Coupeville 3, Port Townsend 1
PORT TOWNSEND — The Redhawks dropped an Olympic League contest to the Wolves 25-13, 25-22, 28-30, 25-19.
Port Townsend was led by Jenna Carson who served 13 of 14 for the match.
Alana McCleese hit on 17 of her 19 service attempts, Sam Short and Sira Wines were each 11 of 13 on serve and Maria Morrison was 8 for 10.
“We have no seniors and only two players with limited varsity experience,” Port Townsend coach Cameron Botkin said.
The Redhawks also have lost three starters to injury, two to season-ending knee injuries and another is out indefinitely with a concussion.
“In spite of our lack of experience and injury set-backs, the young women have shown that they have a hunger inside to fight through tough times, courage in the face of adversity, and kindness toward teammates,” Botkin said.
“I am proud to be their coach.”
Chimacum Splits Pair
CHIMACUM — The Cowboys split a pair of recent contests, knocking of Neah Bay 3-2 in a nonleague game and falling 3-1 to Klahowya in an Olympic League tilt.
Chimacum seniors Audrey Thacker, Ryley Eldridge, Alina Preston, Chelsey Johnson and Sophia Thurston were recognized in a Senior Night ceremony before taking on the Eagles on Tuesday.
The Cowboys (3-1, 8-5) started strong but couldn’t close out Klahowya in a 24-26, 27-25, 25-13, 25-10 loss.
Shanya Nesbit led Chimacum with seven kills, 14 digs and a block.
Nesbit also served 13 of 15.
Taylor Carthum added 16 assists, seven digs and a kill. She also served 13 of 15.
Thacker totaled seven digs, three kills and two blocks, while also serving 14 of 16.
Thurston contributed five kills, two digs and was 5 of 6 on serve.
Preston was a perfect 14 of 14 on serve, with 20 digs and three kills.
Johnson added two kills and six digs and Eldridge had a team-high 24 digs and one kill.
Chimacum held off the Red Devils 25-14, 25-20, 18-25, 12-25, 15-11 in Monday’s match.
Carthum was perfect on serve, connecting on all nine of her attempts with one ace, and adding 11 assists, five digs and a kill.
Thacker served 6 of 7 with an ace, two kills, nine digs and an assist.
Preston hit on 4 of 5 serves with two kills and six digs.
Nesbit totaled four kills and three digs, while serving 5 of 7.
Eldridge was active defensively with eight digs. She also served 4 of 4 with an ace.
Thurston tallied three kills and three digs, and served 6 of 6 with an ace.
Johnson and Hannah Whitbeck each put down two kills.
The Cowboys visit Coupeville today.