By Abigail Vidals
“Strength through unity” is the saying on each soccer players warm-up shirts, and they’ve proven that through their actions, on and off the field. The saying applying not only exclusively to the soccer teams but also reaching over to other Pirate sports teams, showing a united front.
With many new faces this season, adding up to a total of 33 new freshman soccer players, men and women combined.
The new CHI (Collegiate Housing International) dorms has become an important place for many new freshman and athletes alike. “I’ve found a new family up here at PC, I wouldn’t trade them for the world! More specifically my roommates(who are also her teammates), and Sam (Oliveira). Sam doesn’t live with us but she kind of lives with us.” said by Halle Nottage.
Coming from different backgrounds, they’ve all settled down well into PC life.
Though some have had different challenges to face before transitioning to Peninsula College. “Coming off an ACL (injury) I didn’t see myself having a starting position, I worked (hard) to get that. I had 19 goals in the season. I’ve built a connection with these girls in such little time that I didn’t think was possible.” said by Oliveira.
With both Soccer Pirate teams coming together during each others halftime at home games, they’ve seemed to have created some sort of tradition. They shake one another hands to build team spirit and cheering each other on through the sidelines. “We’re really close with the men’s team and I think that goes back to the history of Coach Canyon coaching Jake (Hughes)..It’s nice knowing that they’ll have your back and you have their back. ” said by Oliveira.
When asked about their biggest strong point Nottage said “Canyon kind of described our team like this, he said that last years team was talent, they were finesse, they would win but he said that this year’s team, is a team he would take with him to a bar fight. Meaning, that our team is grit, perseverance and hard work.”.
With the NWAC finals coming up, both teams are preparing themselves to become the best. “We’re coming up to the end of the season with the best soccer we have been playing. Whenever there is any disputes or any challenges that we have to sort out we just sort it out as a team, as a family.” said Michael Benito.
With a very high winning record the women’s team express their excitement for the finals.“This is our 8th consecutive title that we’ve won on wednesday (played against Everett) and we are gonna try and go for the freakin championship!” said Kayla Alcott.
Stats
With their North Region standing holding them currently in first place. The women’s team have an average of 96.2% wins this season. Winning the league in their division. The Men’s team not following too far behind holding first place in their division and having an average of 84.6% wins this season. Both Pirate teams securing a spot for the NWAC playoffs.