The Buccaneer

Issue date: 11/12/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeremy Johnson Mud-plastered Ryan Muyskens (17) gives teammate Jay Kang a "high-five" celebrating the Pirates' soccer victory 2-1 over visiting Whatcom College Nov. 8 in the final regular season game for both teams.

The Pirates soccer team is headed to the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) playoffs where the team is ranked eighth in the latest NWAACC poll by coaches in Washington and Oregon states. Athletic Director Rick Ross said, "I think we have a pretty good shot."
Pirates Coach Andrew Chapman said the first knock-out round is Nov. 12, 2 p.m., at Clark Community College. If the Pirates beat Clark, they play Whatcom, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. in Bellingham. If the team wins there they move to the final four Nov. 22, at 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., and the finals Nov. 23, 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. at the Starfire Stadium in Tukwila.
"It feels like we can be in the final four," the coach said.
The Pirates regular season ended with a 2-1 victory against Whatcom Nov. 8 sealing the game with the winning goal made by John Troka in the second half.
The freshmen team - except for five players - is finishing its season in third place; last year it finished first.
Despite the drop in standings, the team was able to beat two of its records.
First, the Pirates broke the record nine shutouts in a row, recording 10 this season. Second, forward Ernest Boham beat the career goal scoring record with 18, which was held previously by Seth Ransom with 16.
Coach Chapman said the players had a slow start, under-performing at the beginning of the season. Players gave up scores and lost games they should have won, such as against Tacoma, Bellevue and Highline, he said. But these were the only three teams the Pirates lost to while posting a 12-5-3 season record.
Ross said that even though the team started out slow, with players getting sick and teammates getting to know each other, "this team doesn't have any quit in them."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools