Peninsula Women's Soccer Completes Undefeated Season, Wins 6th NWAC Title

TUKWILA, Wash. - The Peninsula Pirates women's soccer team completed a perfect season with no ties or losses en route to the program's sixth NWAC title, defeating Bellevue 1-0 in the finals of the 2024 NWAC Women's Soccer Championship on Sunday at Starfire Stadium.

The championship is the sixth all-time for Peninsula, the most in NWAC history. All six titles have come under head coach Kanyon Anderson since 2012. The Pirates have won six of the last 12 NWAC titles in a dominant run.

Sophomore midfielder Rilee Leigh was named the tournament's MVP for her performance in the finals as she scored the lone goal in the 37th minute. Leigh, known for her passing ability with seven assists on the season, scored the most important goal of the season for the Pirates, as she received a pass from Emma Crystal from 30 yards out and laced a shot into the top left corner of the net. The goal held up over the rest of the game as Peninsula's outstanding defense limited Bellevue to five shots overall, while keeper Alexandra Naill had two saves.

The Pirates finish an incredible year with a 15-0-0 record while outscoring opponents 74-4. Facing a region rival that knows them well, the championship was decided by just one goal.

Peninsula's Shiori Shintaku led all players with five shots. The Pirates overcame a pair of injuries in the game to two of their top forwards in Shawna Larson and Lauren Lases. The team showed resilience and its depth by overcoming those challenges.

Bellevue finishes a great year with a 10-4-2 overall record, earning their first-ever runner-up performance. Paige Boyce led the team with five assists while Sarai Perdomo had two shots.

The NWAC Women's All-Star Game was also played on Sunday morning with the North-East All-Stars defeating the South-West All-Stars 1-0. Spokane's Resse Walker had the lone goal, assisted by Blue Mountain's Brianna Ehia. Walla Walla's Viv Ochoa and Everett's Ruby Wacker pitched a combined shutout.