From the Sidelines

The Pirates sailed into Port Townsend last night and returned home with a 2-1 shoot out victory over the Redskins in an epic battle. The shoot out finish was only appropriate after the back and forth soccer game.

Vashon struck first when Teal Sigler took a feed from Cat Amick and found the back of the net in the seventh minute. Port Townsend did not even it up until the 77th minute when Khloe Frank converted a penalty kick.

Pirate goalkeeper Sophie Nespor was an overwhelming choice for player of the match with an amazing display of leaping and diving saves to shut down the relentless Redskin attack.

Regular time ended in a 1-1 tie. After two scoreless five-minute overtime periods the game went to the shoot out. Five players for each team alternate taking kicks from the penalty kick mark. If the teams are still tied the shoot out continues until one team misses and the other scores.

Vashon won 6-5 after each team took seven shots.

Vashon defender Katie Chale left the game with an injured arm in the 14th minute but returned early in the second half and eventually made the deciding kick in the shoot out.

Vashon went first. Port Townsend keeper Caroline Dowdle saved Brooke Pringle’s shot. Frank converted for the Redskins. Sigler made it for Vashon, Jennifer Grausberger for PT. Lena deGuzman hit for Vashon then Nespor saved Redskin Irina Lyons’ shot to even the count.

Amick, Carlyle Scott and Kaija Reinelt converted for Vashon and Brynne Gambill, Elena Akina and Dowdle made it for the Redskins.

Chale’s seventh-round shot hit the top bar and bounced to the ground and the assistant referee signaled that the entire ball had crossed the entire line for the goal. When PT’s Audrey McHugh shot just over the bar Vashon had the win.

The Pirates advance to the West Central District tourney with a 2 p.m. game Saturday at Orting Stadium. Vashon, the number four seed, plays Charles Wright, number three seed, for third and fourth seeds to regionals. Seattle Christian and Orting play at 4 p.m. for the first and second seeds to regionals.