PORT TOWNSEND — Port Angeles opened the 2012 girls soccer season with a 3-1 nonleague victory over North Olympic Peninsula rival Port Townsend at Memorial Field.
“A commendable non-league start to the season with chances falling equally to both teams,” Port Townsend coach Colin Foden said.
Ineligibility meant Port Townsend was without some starters and had only 14 players in total.
All the fireworks came in the second half after a scoreless first half by both teams.
The first half was an even battle, with both teams battling for control of the midfield.
The Roughriders jumped in front after the half behind the hard work of Kaitlin Boston and scored all three goals within a 12-minute period.
Boston put Port Angeles up 1-0 on an unassisted breakaway goal and added a second in the 57th minute on a pass from Shayla Northern.
Boston returned the favor in the 61st minute, assisting Northern’s first goal of the season.
Strong finish
Port Townsend had a resurgent final 10 minutes that saw Irina Lyons hit a shot at far post past the Port Angeles keeper for her first goal of the season.
Jewel Johnson had the assist on the play.
The Riders outshot the Redskins 17 to 10. The four Port Angeles goalkeepers combined for nine saves while the Redskins earned 11 saves.
Boston was named offensive player of the game for the Riders while Northern received transition player honors and Karina Bohman was named defensive player.
Despite being short-handed, the Redskins played well, Foden said.
“There were many positives to take from the game for us,” he said. “Alex Akins and Malia Henderson were extremely strong in defense, and Irina Lyons combined well with Jewel Johnson.
“Particularly impressive were Anne Meek, Becca Stewart and Brenna Latchford in defense.”
The Riders next travel to Kingston this Saturday to take on the Buccaneers.
Port Townsend, meanwhile, plays four games in six days starting Monday.
The Redskins host Crosspoint Academy of Bremerton at Memorial Field starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Volleyball
Chimacum 3, Charles Wright 1
CHIMACUM — The Cowboys opened the 2012 Nisqually League season with the victory over Tacoma’s Charles Wright.
The scores were close the entire night as Chimacum won 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20.
The Chimacum offense was led by Lauren Thacker with 10 kills, followed by Alyssa Hamilton, Olivia Baird and Megan Dukek with four each.
Thacker had two blocks and seven digs as well.
Kiersten Snyder led the team in digs with 12 and also had two blocks.
Chimacum had 15 aces with four coming from Baird, and three apiece from Thacker and Dukek.
Strong back-row defense was played by Mallori Cossell and Sienna Madary.
Chimacum next travels to Eatonville on Monday then to Bellevue Christian on Wednesday.
Boys Tennis
Port Angeles 7, Olympic 0
PORT ANGELES — The Riders dropped only one set on their way to opening the season with an impressive victory.
“We have several new varsity players this year, and I was curious to see how they would come out,” Port Angeles coach Brian Gundersen said.
At No. 1 singles, Alex Brown defeated Olympic’s John Satak 6-4, 6-2.
The closest match came at No. 2 singles where Jeremy Choe beat Darren Towne 6-2, 4-6, 6-0.
Nick Fritschler wrapped up singles play by defeating Tayler Huddlestoy 6-1, 6-0.
Gundersen singled out Brown as the player of the match.
“Alex is being asked to step up in a big way for a sophomore, and I thought he played a very smart match today.”
Winning doubles matches for the Riders were Michael and Marcus Konopaski at No. 1, Kevin Herzog and Brady Konopaski at No. 2, Daniel Manwell and Hayden Kays-Erdmann at No. 3, and Micah Needham and Jace Bohman at No. 4.
Port Angeles next travels to Klahowya in Silverdale today.