PORT ANGELES — The Peninsula Pirates women’s soccer team is ranked No. 15 nationally in the latest NSCAA college soccer poll.
The poll consists of all junior colleges across the nation.
This is the first time a Peninsula College team has been ranked nationally
“Early this season, we went and played at North Idaho College who was ranked No. 7 in the national preseason poll,” Pirates coach Kanyon Anderson said.
“We won that game 5-0, and with that result, we figured we might deserve some national consideration.
“It is great for the soccer program and for the college.
“I am very proud of this year’s team. They work hard and are willing to accept the challenges that are placed before them.”
In 15 games this season, the Pirates (14-1-0) have scored 88 goals and only allowed nine.
The national ranking comes after Peninsula beat Olympic College 5-0 and Wenatchee Valley 15-0.
Anderson said the lopsided scores are indicative of his team’s overall talent.
“We subbed early and often as we have done all season, so these results are truly the work of all the players,” he said.
“When one team dominates there is always a suspicion that they are running up the score. That has not been the case this year.
“We have not been concerned with the number of goals we have scored, we focus on developing as many players as we can, and the result has been that we are a team that is genuinely talented 20-deep.”
The Pirates play Bellevue College, currently ranked as the #7 team in the league, today in Tukwilla. Bellevue is second in the western division standings.
On Saturday at noon, the third-place Highline Thunderbirds visit Sigmar Field.
Highline is currently in 3rd in the West division. The Pirates won 2-1 in the first match-up of the year.
The Peninsula College men’s soccer team also plays Bellevue today at Starfire No.1 in Tukwila.
The men will host Highline on Saturday at 2 p.m.