Kingston kickers

beat Peninsula

Kingston boys soccer beat the defending Olympic League champion Peninsula 3-2 in an OT decision on April 8. Josh (JJ) Gilson, with the assistance of Chance Pruiett, scored the winning goal. Pruiett had three assists, while Gilson scored the first and last goals. Chris Hall rounded out the offense with the middle goal.

Peninsula scored early, within the first five minutes from a short-cross. Ten minutes later, Kingston’s goalie Devin Langaker drop-kicked a 70-yard punt that Pruiett head-flicked on to a running Gilson. Gilson beat the Seahawks off-side trap and finished with a one-on-one, side stepping the Peninsula keeper.

Peninsula got another go-ahead goal with 15 minutes left in regulation when a player broke free on the right side with a great shot. With nine minutes left, Pruiett crossed the ball over to an open and well-composed Hall, who laced a ball under the Seahawks goalie for the tying goal, forcing overtime. Olympic League rules state two five-minute periods and any goal ends the game — sudden death/golden goal in soccerspeak.

The Bucs pressed and dominated but five minutes go fast. Soon it was switch ends and re-kick off, as there is no half-time in overtime. Two minutes in with Peninsula still playing their off sides trap, Pruiett chipped a ball over the Seahawks backline and Gilson had another one-on-one from the left and angled in the game-stopping goal into the right side net.

Victorious pandemonium ensued.

Ben Van Kleeck had a great game at center half, being knocked down at least a dozen times and without a whistle for him, and he just bounded back up and went after it. The Bucs practiced beating the offsides trap in practice Monday but sometimes it comes down to more than tactics.

“We came out with what we thought was prepared but had no idea how intense Peninsula was at kick off,” said head coach Craig Smith. “I told them we had to raise our desire and physical play to at least match them and not back down and let the referee decide it. Our boys raised it up and it’s a great lesson to learn for future games, especially to get into post season play for this is the effort it takes to hold your ground and handle the spirit of others wishing to be a champion.”

NORTH FASTPITCH

PICKS UP A WIN

North Kitsap’s fastpitch team picked up a 3-2 win against South Kitsap on April 7. Jordan Jewett got two hits and scored twice. Jenneke Oostman was a force on the mound and the plate, with two runs batted in, 10 strikeouts and no earned runs.

NORTH SOCCER

BEATS WILSON

North Kitsap soccer earned a 5-0 win against Wilson on April 8. This was their first league win, and their first shutout win. Nate May and Jeremy Dyer combined for the shutout in goal.

KINGSTON BASEBALL

DROPS AGAINST PA

Kingston baseball lost to Port Angeles 4-3 on April 8. Kingston had five hits and two errors, while Port Angeles picked up 12 hits and committed two errors. Kingston’s Chris Jones pitched six innings and had two strikeouts.

Tyler Sullivan led the team at the plate, going two for four with a double. Robert Jordan went one for two, with two walks and one run batted in.

The Bucs traveled to North Mason Friday for a make-up game. The results were not available by presstime.

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