By Oly ArchibaldPORT ANGELES — First-year head coach Scott Snyder celebrated a big milestone Tuesday as his Port Angeles Roughrider tennis team went on the road and knocked off always-tough North Kitsap, 5-2. In singles play, Sky Gelder battled back for a gritty win, Grant Butterworth and Owen Leipzig each handled their matches in straight sets, and the Riders picked up key points in doubles from Brett Mason and Gagan Seera, along with the tandem of Jacob Oberly and Khyler Fowler, who rallied for a dramatic third-set tiebreak vi...
By Oly Archibald
PORT ANGELES — First-year head coach Scott Snyder celebrated a big milestone Tuesday as his Port Angeles Roughrider tennis team went on the road and knocked off always-tough North Kitsap, 5-2. In singles play, Sky Gelder battled back for a gritty win, Grant Butterworth and Owen Leipzig each handled their matches in straight sets, and the Riders picked up key points in doubles from Brett Mason and Gagan Seera, along with the tandem of Jacob Oberly and Khyler Fowler, who rallied for a dramatic third-set tiebreak victory. The result gave Port Angeles a statement win early in the season.
On the soccer pitch, the Sequim Wolves delivered their best defensive effort of the year against perennial powerhouse Bainbridge, holding the Spartans to just two goals. The Wolves kept pace through the first half with each side managing a pair of shots on goal, but Bainbridge broke through in the opening minutes of the second half and added a clincher in the 28th minute. Despite the loss, Sequim keeper Lillian Anderson turned in a stellar performance with seven saves, including a diving stop that drew cheers from the crowd. Brooklyn Schmidt anchored the back line with several key defensive plays that kept the Wolves in contention.
Sequim Wolves defensive end Andrew Keeler (right) will be looking to put the heat on Elma’s star quarterback Isaac McGaffey tonight in Sequim.
Meanwhile, Port Angeles shook off the sting of a tough defeat to Bainbridge with a resounding 7-0 win over Olympic. The Roughriders wasted no time, striking in the second minute on a corner from Pyper Alton that set up Becca Manson. Moments later, Morgan Politika netted her first of the year off a long throw from Mariah Traband. By halftime, Port Angeles had built a 4-0 cushion with goals from Emma Desjardins and Teanna Clark. Desjardins kept it rolling in the second half, scoring her sixth of the season before setting up Traband for another, and Lilly Lancaster capped the rout with a late strike off a Julianna Long assist. Goalkeeper Kennedy Rognlien preserved the shutout, highlighted by a diving stop on a penalty kick midway through the second half.
Football takes center stage tonight with two big matchups. In Sequim, the unbeaten Wolves look to stay perfect as they welcome the Elma Eagles. Last year Sequim handled Elma 28-7, but the Eagles come in with a dangerous passing attack led by senior quarterback Isaac McGaffey, who has already thrown for 463 yards and five touchdowns this season. His top target, Colt Landstrom, has been equally impressive, averaging 18 yards per catch.
At the same time, the Port Angeles Roughriders travel to North Mason to face the unbeaten Bulldogs. KONP Newsradio will have live coverage starting with the Dustin Clark Show at 6:05, followed by the Enemy Coaches Show with Bulldog coach John Fullington, and then the Roughrider Locker Room featuring quarterback Carson Waddell and receiver–kicker Oliver Martinez. At halftime, former Rider great and current New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas will join the broadcast. Oly Archibald and Greg Thomas will handle the play-by-play.
Former Roughrider and current New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas will be featured on tonight’s VIP Halftime Show during the Port Angeles–North Mason football game. Thomas holds a 5-0 record against the Seattle Seahawks as an assistant coach.
Elsewhere, Olympic made a strong statement in its league opener last night, knocking off North Kitsap 27-14 behind three touchdowns from Chas Webster and a defense that came away with four interceptions.
And looking ahead to Saturday, Peninsula College soccer travels to Whatcom, with the men set to kick off at noon and the women following at 2:15.