Tukwila, WA – A dominant second half performance by Peninsula propelled the Pirates to a 3-0 victory over Clark College in the 2024 NWAC Men's Soccer Championship at Starfire Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Pirates capped off a stellar season, with a decisive win over the Penguins.
Clark entered the match as the second seed with a strong 13-1-1 conference record, but faced an uphill battle from the outset against the top-seeded Peninsula squad. While Clark's defense, led by goalkeeper Jake Bilsborough, kept the game competitive, Peninsula's offensive power proved too much to handle.
The game started off even, with both teams finding their footing in the first 20 minutes. Clark's best early chance came in the 8th minute when forward Randy Valdivia's shot was saved by Peninsula goalkeeper Laurin Lettow. However, the first breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Peninsula's Nil Grau capitalized on a ball into the box, burying it past Bilsborough to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
Clark had a few opportunities to respond, notably a couple of corner kicks in the first half that resulted in shots from Milos Mavrak and Christian Silva, but Lettow was equal to the task, stopping every effort that came his way. The Penguins' best chance came just before halftime in the 42nd minute when Silva's shot was blocked by Peninsula's defense.
Peninsula doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. A quick combination between midfielder Edwin Diaz and forward Ezrah Ochoa saw Ochoa finish from inside the box, giving the Pirates a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime. The goal was Ochoa's first of the day, and it set the stage for more drama in the second half.
The second half saw Clark push for an equalizer, but Peninsula's defense stood strong, frustrating the Penguins' attackers. In the 55th minute, Ochoa struck again, this time assisted by Grau, to put the game out of reach. Ochoa's second goal, a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, made it 3-0 and effectively sealed the championship for the Pirates.
Despite the scoreline, Clark didn't give up, continuing to push forward with shots from Abraham Alvarez-Cast, JP Warnell, and others. However, Lettow was brilliant in goal, finishing with five saves and securing the clean sheet for Peninsula.
Peninsula's dominant victory was the culmination of a season where they showed resilience, depth, and exceptional teamwork. Ochoa, who finished with two goals on the day, was named the Player of the Match for his clinical finishing and overall impact on the game. Grau, with a goal and an assist, was equally influential in leading Peninsula to their championship.
Clark (15-2-2) put up a strong fight but couldn't find a way past Peninsula's defense, with Bilsborough finishing with four saves but ultimately conceding three goals. Despite their defeat, Clark can hold their heads high after a strong season that included both a first-place finish in the region and an impressive playoff run.
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