After winning their first three games, the Gig Harbor Tides soccer team lost consecutive Class 4A Narrows League matches to the Bellarmine Lions and South Kitsap Wolves last week.
The Tides (3-2 overall, 2-2 Narrows Bridge) were scheduled to play the Wilson Rams on Tuesday after press time.
Last week, the Tides played even with Bellarmine through a 1-1 first half, but a Tides defender was called for a hand-ball and a penalty kick was assessed early in the second half.
The Lions converted and never looked back, beating Gig Harbor 4-1.
Tides coach Andres Lugo said Bellarmine smelled blood.
“I was happy with how you guys played, but not happy with the outcome,” Lugo said to his players in a post-game team meeting. “When you go down, you still have to remain focused. You have to play strong both halves.”
The loss to the Wolves was much tougher.
Late in the game, neither team had scored the entire match, but South Kitsap was threatening more offensively.
With about 90 seconds left, the Tides lost control of the ball from the midfield. South Kitsap played it wide and chipped one by the Tides’ keeper.
“They finally did what they were trying to do,” Lugo said.
Offensively, Lugo said the Tides were flat. The Wolves were pushing forward on Gig Harbor, not giving the Tides any time to play at their feet.
“A lot of balls were in the air, and it gave their defense a chance to push up on them,” he said. “They weren’t giving us any time.”
Lugo added that his team needs to try and spread its defense out so they have gaps to play through the middle — not to the forwards.
“Be patient and wait for something to develop,” Lugo said.
Lugo said having two starting defenders out for at least half the season because of injuries might have had something to do with the defensive breakdown.
Bellarmine and South Kitsap are the best teams in the Narrows Bridge, Lugo said. He stressed to his players not to lose heart, and that there is still plenty of time to rebuild their confidence.
PHS fastpitch splits with division teams
The Peninsula Seahawks fastpitch team beat Kingston last Friday after suffering a 13-2 loss to Sequim on March 17.
Peninsula also had a game postponed because of the weather.
During the win, Richelle White went 1-for-2 with a walk, and Ashley Bowles went 2-for-3 with two runs scored as the Seahawks beat Kingston 6-4.
Jessica Chapman went 2-for-3 with two triples and three RBIs, and White added seven strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Peninsula’s Ashley Bowles tripled and drove in a run during the 13-2 defeat, and the Seahawks’ game with Port Angeles was called off last Wednesday due to rain as Port Angeles led 7-1 in the fifth inning.
The game was postponed until April 18.
GH Tides beat Wilson on weekend
The Gig Harbor Tides beat the Wilson Rams 7-3 to avenge last Wednesday’s loss, evening the season series at 1-1.
Tides sophomore David Bigelow combined with senior Brandon Rohde to hold the Rams to just three runs in seven innings. Rohde got the save.
The Tides took a 3-1 lead in the first inning when Kyle Mauren singled up the middle.
Gig Harbor tacked on four more runs and Bigelow kept the damage at a minium.
Prior to the Rams series, the Tides won their Narrows League home opener by beating the Stadium Tigers 5-4.
Rohde pitched a complete game, four-hit shutout with nine strikeouts.
Seahawks golf team is 2-0 to start season
The first match for the Peninsula boys golf team was a dominant win over the Sequim Wolves as the Seahawks won 71-41.
Peninsula’s Joey McNelis was a medalist with an even-par 35 at Canterwood Golf & Counry Club. Nick Fandel and Chris Bean both scored 38.
The girls also won, 41-31, with Julia Stockton leading the way.
Last Thursday, the Seahawks traveled to Lakeland Village to battle North Mason in horrible weather for the boys and girls.
Nevertheless, the Peninsula boys won 49-36 and the Seahawks girls won 75-42.
Medalist for the boys was Kevin Keiter with a 4-over-par 40. On the girls side, Stockton was the medalist with a 52, followed closely by Anna Heacox (53) and Alexis Perry (56).
Reach Sports Editor Marques Hunter at 253-853-9243 or marques.hunter@gateline.com.
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