By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles opened the season yesterday by outshooting North Mason 174–190.
Senior Cale Wentz had the hot club, shooting a solid 42 in windy, rainy conditions.
Junior Sky Gelder — once again the best name in high school golf — carded a 43, while sophomore Noah Myers shot 44.
Sophomore Tristen Grantham and senior Max Gagnon each shot 45, and junior Kolby Charles finished with a 49.
North Mason’s Owen Oblizalo had the low round of the day with a 39.
This could also be a promising year for the Roughriders boys soccer team, which opened the season with a 3–1 road win over Steilacoom in Lakewood.
The Sentinels scored first in the 29th minute, but a turning point came five minutes later when Roughrider Kanyon Anderson was kicked in the face and could not return. The Steilacoom player involved received a red card, forcing the Sentinels to play a man down the rest of the match.
Port Angeles tied the game in the 43rd minute when Matthew Miller scored on an assist from Roldan Lara.
Just four minutes later, Miller struck again, this time assisted by Tanner Lagrange.
Freshman Tanner Lagrange added his first varsity goal in the 51st minute, assisted by Miller.
Coach Chris Saari said Sawyer Davis excelled after moving up to midfield.
Transition players of the game were Jay Lieberman and Sawyer Davis.
Defensive player of the game was Grant Butterworth, while offensive honors went to Matthew Miller and Tanner Lagrange.
The Roughriders host Bremerton tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Monroe Field.
It’s NWAC Final Four time tonight for the 24–4 Peninsula Pirates, who tip off at 7 p.m. against the defending champion Walla Walla Warriors, 27–4.
It will also be the final NWAC weekend for a talented sophomore class that includes Haley Ostrander, Carliese O’Brien, Veniza Jackson, Makena Patrick, Ryana Moss, and Alexis Smith.
Over the past two seasons, that group has helped the Pirates compile a remarkable 48–7 record.
You can hear tonight’s game right here on KONP Newsradio, with the pregame show starting at 6:45.
Pirates 6-foot-2 sophomore Alecsis Smith, from Bay City, Michigan, will go down as one of the greatest players in Peninsula College history.
Former Neah Bay Red Devil Ryana Moss is two wins away from an NWAC championship to go with her two 1B state titles.
Pirates head coach Alison Crumb Rose has led another outstanding group of student-athletes to the NWAC Final Four.