Peninsula proves it on pitch against Olympic

Ahead of Peninsula by two points in the Olympic League standings, the Olympic Trojans boys soccer squad needed a win or tie to lay claim to the Oly League throne.

The Trojans, who suffered their only league loss this season in a 3-0 decision against Peninsula April 10, couldn’t quite get either, falling 3-0 again. Oly coach Steve Haggerty said the team did play better the second time around however.

“Yes we did,” Haggerty said. “Peninsula proved that they’re league champs though.”

The loss means the Trojans will be the league’s No. 2 team to districts where they’ll take on the Seamount-South Puget Sound Leauge’s No. 1 team. And while the draw will be tougher, the rewards are potentially greater.

“I’m an optimist,” Haggerty said. “I look at the silver lining. The champion from the Oly League never has the opportunity to win the No. 1 seed out of districts. However, the No. 2 team does. If we beat ‘em, we take that No. 1 seed. We have a better opportunity to get that No. 1.”

The Trojans will likely battle either Auburn Riverside or Hazen, depending on which team emerges from its sub-district, at 11a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Highline Stadium in Burien.

The Trojans weren’t without their opportunities against Peninsula.

Oly’s Cody Clark, one of the area’s top scoring threats, had a shot off the post that led to a quick Peninsula counter.

“We hit that post,” Haggerty said. “Boom. Six passes. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. In the back of the net. That was a big momentum turner.”

Late in the game, trailing 2-0, Paul Cho got open in front and appeared to have shot a goal into the upper part of the net. Officials said the ball came back out just off the post however. Haggerty joked about the famed “Wembley goal” in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final in which the English beat the West Germans 4-2 on a similar goal that was called a score. West Germany knocked off Russia in the semifinal.

“But we had our opportunities. I thought Cho’s was in there,” Haggerty joked. “It was like 1966 with England and West Germany. We could have used a Russian line judge over there. But what are you gonna do?”

Trying to play for points, Haggerty said the team altered its approach.

“Our game plan going into this was play for a win, but if we pick up points, that’s fine,” he said. “So we played real conservative on the attack and their quick counterattack got us.”

David Meherg, a key Oly midfielder, was hobbled in the game due to a cut on his foot. With Oly’s next game a week away, Haggerty said he’s looking forward to getting his 1-2 punch back and healthy.

“I’m hoping that will give him a week without playing,” Haggerty said. “He’ll come back 100 percent. David and Cody at 100 percent are very difficult to stop.”

Klahowya

The Klahowya Eagles soccer squad wrapped up a disappointing season Thursday with a 4-0 loss to North Mason. The Eagles, just 1-12-1 this season, couldn’t find the net against the Bulldogs (3-12-1).

Baseball

The Eagles baseball squad couldn’t come back from a 6-2 deficit Thursday against North Mason, falling 6-4 in a make-up of Wednesday’s rained-out contest.

Jordan Green and Rusty Devitt both went 2-4 in the loss.

With the win, the Bulldogs (7-11, 6-8) will be the league’s top 2A team heading into districts and Klahowya (7-9, 6-8) will be the No. 2.

The Eagles will now host the Nisqually League’s No. 3 team, Fife, at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Central Kitsap battles North Kitsap at 6 p.m. today at Heidleberg Park in Tacoma for the Narrows League Championship and the top seed to districts.

Softball

North Mason wrapped up an undefeated Oly League season with a 10-0 blanking of the Eagles in a makeup of Wednesday’s rainout.

The Eagles (9-8, 7-7) will now host the Nisqually League No. 4-seed in a pig tail game at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Klahowya for the last district spot. The road to state won’t be easy for the Eagles, as they’ll have to play North Mason again in the second round, should they beat the Nisqually League’s No. 2 team.

Olympic, whose game this week with Peninsula was rained out, will now play the Seahawks at 5 p.m. Monday in Purdy. Port Angeles will be the Oly League’s 3A winner, while an Oly win would tie the Seahawks and Trojans (6-7, 7-8 overall) for second place and the last spot to districts.

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