Peninsula College Soccer Brochure

Pirates instantly a soccer force

In only their second year, the 2011 Pirates went all the way to the championship match before settling for second place in the NWAACC following a thrilling 1-0 loss to top-ranked Walla Walla. The team was loaded with talent, they were loaded with determination and most of all, they were loaded with young women who epitomize what it means to be a student athlete at Peninsula College - they were outstanding students, outstanding citizens and outstanding athletes. Coach Kanyon Anderson was named NWAACC Coach of the Year, and has emerged as one of the most talented coaches in the Northwest soccer scene. Peninsula College athletes benefit from the NWAACC's most impressive soccer complex, the NWAACC's most successful new coach, an atmosphere that perfectly blends a focus on winning a championship with the joy of playing soccer, an academic program widely respected in the region and a college with spectacular new buildings in a beautiful setting. Combine all of those and you have a destination college for high school soccer standouts.

NEWS

March 27, 2012

Second wave of talent commits to Peninsula

     PORT ANGELES – The Northwest Athletic Association of Community College’s 2011 runner-up, Peninsula College, just keeps getting stronger.

     Head coach Kanyon Anderson has landed a second wave of recruits over the last few weeks, adding to a very talented class of seven incoming freshmen who signed earlier this spring.

     The newest soccer standouts committing to wear black and gold next year include Hailey Berg of Hawaii, Laura Morgan and Ashlyn Crossan of Washington, and Shelbi Vienna-Hallam and Miranda Sochacki of Australia.

     Berg is a defender out of Kapolei, Hawaii. She was a three-time First Team All League selection and Second Team All State.   

     “Hailey brings a very high level of speed and athleticism to the team,” coach Anderson said. “She plays hard and fast, and she can attack from the outside defender position as well as any player I have seen at the high school level. In her first round game of the Hawaiian State Championships she dominated the entire right sideline. She is so dangerous off the dribble that I suspect she could be effective in an attacking role. Hailey also has a strong commitment to improving and succeeding which will make her an even more valued member of the Pirate soccer family.”

     Morgan is a goal keeper out of Hockinson, Washington. She was named First Team All League in 2010 and 2011 and was Goal Keeper of the Year in 2010. She was also the keeper for the Vancouver United Timbers FC who claimed the national championship for her age group.

     “Laura has as impressive a soccer resume as I have seen in my recruiting, and when I watch her play, it is clear that she is used to competing at a high level,” Anderson said. Her technique, communication and understanding of team defensive concepts allow her to make the players in front of her better.  In addition to these skills, Laura has a strong work ethic. Her enthusiasm for the game is contagious and she will be well liked by her teammates. The addition of Laura to the team gives us two top rate goalkeepers in the program.”

Vienna-Hallam is a defender who played for the Australian Futsal Team. She was co-captain of a women’s premier league team that won a championship and also served as captain of her Higher School Women’s A Grade team, also a title winner.

     “Shelbi comes to us from the Tasmania Institute of Sport,” Anderson said. “She has played at the highest levels of youth and women’s soccer and has captained many of her teams. Her tactical awareness of the game and her technical skill make her one of the most refined freshman in the program and mean that she will be well prepared to step into the pace and intensity of college soccer from minute one. I anticipate substantial contributions from Shelbi as a freshman.”

     Also joining the roster from down under is Sochacki, a defender/midfielder from New South Wales, Australia. She was named All Region for her Women’s Premier League team and in high school was a track star, winning her age bracket in the 100, 200, long jump, triple jump, javelin, shot and discus. She holds a school record in the long jump.

     “Miranda is noticeable for her high level of athleticism,” Anderson said. “Her height makes her a dominant force in the middle of the field and her exceptional speed makes her a player who can cover a lot of ground. In addition to these natural gifts, Miranda shows a cool composure with the ball, a high level of skill and a good understanding of how to distribute. Miranda’s soccer future is very bright and I am glad that Peninsula College gets to be a part of that future.”

     Filling out the latest list to commit to Peninsula is Crossan, an attacker from Montesano. She was a three-time First Team All League selection, the 2011 League MVP and was Montesano’s offensive MVP. She was named First Team All-State striker in 2012, finishing her high school career with more than 100 goals.

     “Ashlyn has been an important part of this year’s recruiting class since the beginning,” Anderson said. “Every successful team needs a player that is confident to beat defenders off the dribble. Ashlyn has that ability and she has the ability to finish the chances that she creates. As a target striker who can receive the ball, turn and attack, she is going to create chances for the players around her. She has the athleticism and strength to compete with the strong center backs in this league. With all these qualities it will not surprise me to see her at the top of the scoring table next year.”

Feb. 24, 2012

2012 recruiting class outstanding

     PORT ANGELES – In just the second year of women’s soccer at Peninsula College, head coach Kanyon Anderson took his Pirates all the way to the NWAACC championship game before settling for second place. He didn’t leave much room to grow, but he did go out and find the players to help his returners take that next step.

     Following signing ceremonies from Alaska to Hawaii, and one right here in Port Angeles, coach Anderson said he is very excited about his recruiting class, one that includes three players with state championship experience.

     “They are good athletes with good skills,” he said. “These are players who have come from competitive leagues and have risen to the top.”

      One of those players is Port Angeles’ own Paxton Rodocker, a First Team All-League defender, who was defensive MVP two years.

     “Paxton is one of, if not the best player on the Olympic Peninsula,” Anderson said. “She has a rare blend of speed and strength and is exceptionally good with restarts. What impresses me most about Paxton is her total dedication to improving. In the three years I have watched her play, I have never seen her give less than her full effort - and that quality, combined with her natural talent give her a chance to be very, very good. She also strikes the ball very hard which will allow her to score goals from the defense or midfield. It is great to have a local girl on the team, especially one who is so talented.”

     Another Washingtonian to sign is Briana Estrellado, a midfielder/attacker out of Cheney High School. She was First Team All Great Northern League as a striker, Team Offensive MVP and she helped the Blackhawks to a second place finish at state. A sprinter, she also placed second at state on two different track and field relay teams.

      “Briana is as skilled as any player I have seen in my recruiting,” Anderson said. “She hits the ball cleanly, she dribbles well and her first touch is impeccable. This combined with a competitive spirit, good speed and excellent field vision makes her a dangerous weapon. She is a difficult match up for opposing defenses. If she is given time on the ball, she can pick a team apart with her intelligent and skillful passing. If she is pressured, she will blow past her defender on the dribble. Briana is truly a weapon and I expect her to have a big, big freshman season.”

     The third player to sign from Washington was Annie Armstrong, a midfielder out of Olympia High School. She was Second Team All Narrows League (Class 4A), Second Team All-Olympia Area Team, she was team MVP and she played for the Washington Premier ECNL team that was ranked No. 2 in the Northwest for her age group.

     “Annie is a player who can do everything well,” Anderson said. “She is fast, fit, skilled, strong and intelligent. On top of all of this, she works very hard. Annie will have an opportunity to contribute immediately in the central midfield where her one-on-one skills will allow her to break down defenses. Annie will be one of the top midfielders in the NWAACC as a freshman and I expect that she will be a vital part of our attack.  There are few players that can match up with her one-on-one and because she is constantly moving she creates many more opportunities for herself and teammates than just about any player I have seen.”

     South of the boarder, coach Anderson signed Dominique Niedziela, a defender out of Aloha High School in Beaverton, Oregon. She was a four-year varsity player, the 2011 Defensive MVP and captain of the West Side Metros for the last two years.

     “Dominique is going to be a powerful presence in our central defense,” Anderson said. “She is tall, fast, strong and dominant in the air. Her athleticism is off the charts and her willingness to get involved in physical play will make life miserable for opposing strikers. Like all talented central players, Dominique has a great enthusiasm for the game which will motivate her teammates. It is no surprise to me that Dominique was recruited by many colleges and universities. We are very happy to have her. She has the potential to be one of the most successful ball winners in the league.”

     Joining the Pirates from the great state of Alaska this fall will be Nichole Vanni, a midfielder from Wasilla High School and Randi Muotka, a defender out of Service High School in Anchorage.

     Vanni is a four-year varsity starter, First Team All-Conference as a sophomore and junior, Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore and a member of a club team that won state championships from 2008 through 2010.

     “Nikki has been described to me as ‘the best player to come out of the Northern Lights Conference in a decade,” Anderson said. That is quite a compliment considering the talented players we have had from that league (Jessica Farrell, Tabitha Bare, Kendra Miner, Ashlynn Frizzell). Nikki is a fantastic ball winner, she is composed on the ball, and she has the ability to beat defenders off the dribble in bunches. She will be a player that will help us win the vital central midfield battle and she is a shoe-in for another All-Conference selection this year. In my opinion, Nikki is the best midfielder in Alaska.”

     Muotka was part of a team that won the Alaska State championship in 2011, second place in the Beaverton Cup in 2008, she was the Ina K Tournament MVP in 2008 and First Team All-Region in 2011.

     “Randi is an intelligent defender who reads the game very well,” Anderson said. “She understands defensive shape, spacing and patience. These qualities assure me that Randi will be able to help organize the back line of defense and distribute the ball well once she wins in back. She is blessed with natural skill and athleticism, her high work rate and positive attitude only add to what she is capable of achieving. One of the most impressive qualities about Randi is that she is getting better all the time. If she continues to improve at his rate, and I know she will, there is no telling how good she can be. I am really looking forward to seeing the incredible things she accomplishes at PC and beyond.”

     And, joining the Pirates from Hawaii is Misty Kaiwi, a defender out of Kapolei High. She is a three-time All-League selection, she was part of a state championship team in 2008 and she played for the Leahi Premier Soccer Club in Oahu.

     “What impresses me most about Misty is her composure with the ball,” Anderson said. “Like most center backs, Misty has the ability to win the ball back from attackers, but it is her ability to pass and dribble once she has the ball that separates her from most players her age. She does not get rattled under pressure and her touch rarely lets her down. She has the skill and vision of a central midfielder but she is as strong and physical as any high school center back. This combination gives her every opportunity to be one of the best center backs in the league. She anchored and led the most athletic back line in this year’s Hawaii State Championships and she will play a big role in our defensive plans this year.”

Coach Anderson named NWAACC Coach of the Year

VANCOUVER - Peninsula College's second-year head coach Kanyon Anderson was named Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Women's Soccer Coach of the Year, as announced Thursday by the NWAACC office. Coach Anderson guided his first-year team to a second-place finish in the West in 2010 and this year took them all the way to second place in the NWAACC. His Pirates went 14-1-1 to win the West Division championship, only the second women's division title in school history, and then went 17-3-3 overall, finishing second only to Walla Walla following a thrilling 1-0 loss in the championship match. Prior to moving into the head coaching position at Peninsula in 2010, he served four years as assistant coach to Andrew Chapmen in the men's program. "Coach Anderson is very deserving of this award," said Athletic Director Rick Ross. "He's had a unique opportunity to build a program from scratch and his done a supurb job. His ability to recruit, his knowledge of the game and his success bringing together 25 individuals, from all over the World, to work as a team, with a common goal, and uncommon chemistry, are extraordinary."

Pirates battle Walla Walla in NWAACC Championship

TUKWILA - The Pirates fell one goal short of their ultimate goal of winning the NWAACC soccer championship Sunday in a 1-0 loss to top-ranked Walla Walla, but their journey to the title match took them where no Peninsula College women's sports team had gone before. The Pirates' second-place trophy marks the highest finish of any women's team in the college's 50-year history. In only the second year of the program, the PC women found themselves on the threshold of a championship with one team standing in their way - and that team was all they were billed to be. Walla Walla was the two-time defending champion, they were unbeaten, and they had outscored their opponents 103-6 prior to facing the West Division champion and third-ranked Pirates in Sunday's NWAACC championship. More

Rodgers MVP, Anderson Coach of the Year

VANCOUVER - The Pirate women landed five players, led by West MVP Jackie Rodgers, on the Northwest All-Star Team and Kanyon Anderson was named West Division Coach of the Year, as announced today by the NWAACC office. Rodgers, a sophomore midfielder, has been an NWAACC standout for two straight years and was honored with the Most Valuable Player award this year. Joining her on the NW All-Star Team are fellow sophomores Shelby Solomon (forward), Felicia Collins and Kimmy Jones (defenders) and Krystal Daniels (goal keeper).

Pirates lead NWAACC with 10 on All-Academic Team 

PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula College soccer program is not only dominating the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges on the soccer field, but they are excelling in the classroom as well. Ten members of the Peninsula College soccer program were named to the women’s and men’s NWAACC All-Academic Teams, as announced Wednesday by the NWAACC office in Vancouver. The 10 Pirate sophomores represent the most of any college in the Washington/Oregon conference. They include Tabitha Bare, Jessica Farrell, Kimberly Jones and Ellen Rodgers from the third-ranked and West Division champion women’s team, as well as Michel Carbon, Yan Gioseffi, Miguel Gonzalez, Jake Hughes, Jeff Mullen and Adam Skowron from the NWAACC’s top-ranked men’s team. be good students, to be good citizens and to win championships,” said Director of Athletics Rick Ross. MORE