PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula College men’s and women’s soccer teams are coming off Final Four appearances and both teams have their sights set on Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championships this fall.
Both the men and women began practice sessions last week and will be at home today for a doubleheader scrimmage against the Clark Penguins.
The women play at noon and the men at 2 p.m. Admission to all regular season home games is free.
In only its second season, the women’s team won the West Division title last year and went all the way to the championship game before succumbing to Walla Walla 1-0.
Despite graduating 10 sophomores last year, coach Kanyon Anderson looks to have another strong team this year.
The Pirates return 11 from that second-place team, including Denae Brooks (GK, Spokane), Aubrey Briscoe (D, Juneau, Alaska), Sydney Bullington (F, Montesano), Jordan Dineen (MF, Anchorage, Alaska), Brittany Dyer-Smith (MF, Perth, Australia), Ashlyn Frizzelle (D, Wasilla, Alaska), Keira Kanari (F, Perth, Australia), Kendra Miner (MF, Wasilla, Alaska), Kelsie Ng (MF, Waipahu, Hawaii), Emilia Stefanko (CM, Leavenworth) and Deidra Woodward (CM, Olympia).
Coach Anderson and his staff are still evaluating who will rise into starting roles.
He is currently training with 32 players who are vying for spots on the active roster.
Anderson said this year’s team is talented, athletic, tough and very deep.
The men, who won the NWAACC title in 2010 and who were ranked No. 1 much of last year before settling for third, return only five players.
But coach Andrew Chapman has worked to reload, and expects to have another competitive team this season.
Returning are Omar Ambrocio-Vasquez (M, Leavenworth), Guilherme Avelar (GK, Sao Paulo, Brazil), Daniel Gonzalez (F, Yelm), Aaron Jeffery (M, Perth, Australia) and Parker Vacura (D, Healy, Alaska).
Chapman had 31 players working out in hopes of landing starting positions and spots on the active roster.
The Pirates men and women both played scrimmages at the University of Victoria last weekend.
The men led the Vikings 1-0 into the 91st minute before giving up a goal in a 1-1 tie.
Henrique Noujeimi of Belo Horitzonte, Brazil, scored Peninsula’s goal on a ball played over the top of the Victoria defense from Pirates keeper Avelar.
The Peninsula College women, meanwhile, dropped a 4-0 match to the experienced Vikings.
Following today’s scrimmages, the Peninsula men and women travel to the NWAACC Friendlies Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 28-29, at the Star Fire Soccer Complex in Tukwila.