WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS TO PENINSULA AND OLYMPIC
October 22, 2012

Rachel Anderson's solid defense was not enough in a 2-1 loss at Olympic photo by Rich Dworkis

Bellevue College women’s soccer team, currently ranked 6th in the Alaska Airlines NWAACC Coaches Poll, took two losses over the past week, but not without putting up a good fight. The Bulldogs hosted top-ranked West rival Peninsula College on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Starfire Sports Complex, and were able to keep the usually high-scoring Pirates to only two goals, one in each half. The first came at 22 minutes; the second, not until the 87th. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Bellevue was unable to find the back of the net, leaving the pitch with a 0-2 loss.

The match began with the Pirates demonstrating some good team possession play which created many chances to score. Freshman goalkeeper Sophie Rockow was kept busy throughout the match making a total of seven saves off 14 total shots. The Bulldogs defended more than usual and relied on their counter-attacking play in the first half with chances from Tatum Ross and Gabby Rodriguez not threatening Peninsula College’s goalkeeper. Minutes after hitting the post and cross bar, the Pirates broke through with a goal on a ball that was served in from the right flank. The rest of the half was a struggle for possession from both sides and at half time the score held 1-0 in favor of the Pirates.

Though BC came out strong to begin the second half, they were unable to score, and left the door open for the final Peninsula goal in the 87th minute. “We played a highly organized team,” said assist coach Kiko Magana. “Bellevue played through the entire match and had a couple of opportunities to score, but Peninsula College was more consistent today and put two goals away”.

Then, traveling across the Sound, the Bellevue women went to Bremerton where they faced Olympic College on a cold, wet, and windy Saturday, Oct. 20. With a number of players still injured from the Peninsula match, the Bulldogs were playing short-handed. BC began the match attack-minded, creating many opportunities to score and maintained a good amount of possession, but failed to capitalize on the attempts. Olympic scored the first goal 20 minutes into the match, and the Bulldogs were unable to find an equalizing goal before half and found themselves down 1-0.

Again, Bellevue began the second half strong with Ross and Rachel Anderson playing a great attacking game, and Anderson winning a penalty kick when she got fouled in the box. Sophomore Rodriguez stepped up to score the PK for her 10th goal of the season. That would be it for the Bulldogs scoring in this match and a final Olympic goal in the 89th minute, took BC to their third consecutive loss on a 1-2 win for OC. “We were actually the better team,” said assistant coach Magana, ”but we could not finish what we started today and lost as a result.”

The Bulldogs will try to get back to their winning ways when they play Tacoma CC on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 1:00 p.m. in Tacoma.