By Oly Archibald
SEQUIM — The Port Angeles Roughriders girls soccer team took the field at Sequim High School last night with all the confidence and firepower of an Olympic League contender chasing North Kitsap for the league’s runner-up spot.
But a scrappy pack of Wolves had other ideas. Sequim came out fierce in the first half, attacking like a wolf pack dragging down a bison. Sophomore Kaiya Robinson, granddaughter of Peninsula College Hall of Famer Jerry Allen, drew first blood with a straight-on rocket into the back of the net to give the Wolves a 1–0 lead.
Sophomore Ruby Horgan-Moxley, playing with the poise of a senior, was everywhere on the field, setting up scoring chances and pressuring the Roughrider defense. Robinson’s goal gave Sequim confidence and momentum heading into halftime.
But great teams find another gear when they need it, and in the second half, Port Angeles’ size, speed, and athleticism took over. In the 49th minute, Becca Manson tied the game off a pinpoint pass from Emma Desjardins — Manson’s fourth goal of the season.
Then, in the 75th minute, Lilly Anne Lancaster put the Roughriders ahead 2–1 after Teanna Clark made a sliding defensive play and sent a perfect through ball her way. Lancaster sealed the win in the 81st minute, taking another pass from her cousin Emma Desjardins and firing home her fourth goal of the season.
Both teams recorded 11 shots on goal. Roughrider keeper Kennedy Rognlien finished with five saves.
KONP broadcast last night’s match and you can hear the replay by clicking here: PA vs Sequim Soccer
With the 3–1 victory, Port Angeles improved to 9–3 and will host Bremerton Thursday night, while Sequim will welcome ninth-ranked North Kitsap.
It was a lively scene in the Sequim press box. Listening to Roughriders head coach Dan Horton were, from left, Becca Manson, Kennedy Rognlien, Cayleigh Alward, Teanna Clark, and Lilly Anne Lancaster.
Roughriders teammates Cayleigh Alward and Becca Manson join the KONP Newsradio postgame show, where Manson discussed her fourth goal of the season in the win over Sequim.
In other Olympic League action — Sequim volleyball topped Port Angeles 3–1.
In the pool today, Port Angeles visits North Kitsap, and Sequim hosts Bremerton, both meets starting at 3:30.
And in tennis, the Olympic League tournament opens today at North Kitsap with an 8 a.m. start.
Former Roughrider Jack Gladfelter, now running cross country for Corban University, placed third out of 402 runners at the George Oja Invitational, breaking another Corban 8K record with a time of 23:49.70.