Community Sports

Sports Beat | Gig Harbor girls soccer takes league lead

Gig Harbor (7-2, 7-0 Puget Sound League) took sole possession of first place in the leagye girls soccer standings with a 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Bellarmine in Tacoma on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The Tides have scored 41 goals in their first seven league games, and they wasted no time in finding the net against the Lions (7-1-1, 6-1).

A Bellarmine hand ball just four minutes into the game gave Gig Harbor an early penalty kick. Junior Taylor Sullivan calmly approached the ball and blasted a low fastball to the right side of the net that put the Tides ahead 1-0.

The Gig Harbor girls soccer team. Photo courtesy Gig Harbor High soccer

Excellent ball movement led to Gig Harbor’s second goal. Senior Ann Louden, playing in the middle of the field, used a nifty pull back maneuver to juke a defender before sending a bullet pass to freshman Piper Sturrock.

Sturrock drew defenders before sending a cross directly to the foot of a lunging Kennedy Collins, who popped the ball up into the net in a brilliant display of quick-strike soccer.

Puget Sound League girls soccer standings as of Oct. 15, 2026.

Stifling defense

The Tides defense, which hasn’t allowed a goal since opening Puget Sound League play with a 3-2 win over Central Kitsap on Sept. 22, took over from there. Senior center backs Janelle Jones and Claire Clevenger shut down every Lions scoring opportunity.

“Those two seniors bring speed, aggressiveness and experience to our back line,” Tides head coach Robyn Saathoff said. “Plus freshmen outside defenders Mia Bartlett and Eden Pound have stepped up and are doing a great job. We have a young defense, but they play with confidence and work really well together.”

Sophomore Kayanna Hafferkamp provides length and quick reflexes in goal. “Kayanna has been solid and consistent in the first half of the season,” Saathoff said. “She has a high soccer IQ, communicates extremely well and brings confidence to our defense.”

The Tides have talent to burn on offense. Sturrock leads the team with six goals while sophomore Violet Lester has three goals and three assists. Junior Nadia Schwab leads the team with nine assists.

Midfielder Louden stood out against the Lions with her all-around play and physical presence. She threw a couple of aggressive hip-checks to gain possession of the ball and controlled tempo. She has six goals and four assists.

“What I love most about this team is how well balanced we are. We have a lot of young talent mixed with experienced leadership and the chemistry is outstanding,” Saathoff said. “These girls have fire, drive and a genuine desire to compete for each other.”

The Tides play at Timberline (5-5-2, 4-1-2 PSL) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20.

Seahawks gain ground in standings

Peninsula (4-4-1, 4-2-1 PSL) climbed in the girls soccer league standings with a 3-2 home win over Capital on Tuesday.

The Seahawks are fifth in the league standings, but already own a 2-1 win over fourth-place Timberline. Peninsula’s next three opponents have a combined record of 6-13-3. A showdown against first-place Gig Harbor looms on Oct. 27.

The Seahawks’ first goal against Capital came off a corner kick. The Cougar goalie mishandled two chances to catch the ball before senior Alex Cichanski booted it into the net from 10 yards out.

“Alex is having a great year so far, she is such a good leader,” Seahawks head coach Jose Brambilla said. “She has been on the varsity team since she was a freshman and has gotten better and better every year.”

Alex Cichanski of Peninsula. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Capital tied the game a few minutes later, but Peninsula reclaimed the lead on senior midfielder Nyah Hoidal’s header in the 68th minute. The Seahawks’ final score came in the 76th minute, when freshman forward Camila Juarez received a 40-yard pass from junior Kaylee Dastrup. Juarez outraced a defender and sent a beautiful crossing shot into the far corner of the net for a 3-1 lead.

A late Cougars goal made it 3-2, but Peninsula held on.

“I thought we played very well tonight. We are a ball-control team that looks to counter attack, but I also have players on this team that are free to let their talent take over when necessary,” Brambilla said. “We will be fighting hard and look to continue our run of getting to the state tournament.”

League leaders sweep VB teams

The Seahawks and Tides girls volleyball teams both ran into Puget Sound League buzzsaws on Oct. 13.

First-place Timberline trimmed the Seahawks, 3-0, in Purdy, while second-place Central Kitsap swept Gig Harbor in Silverdale. The Blazers and Cougars are a combined 11-1 in league play and both boast top-ten state rankings.

Members of the Gig Harbor volleyball team smile during a recent win. Photo courtesy of Gig Harbor volleyball

The Puget Sound League may be the toughest Class 3A volleyball league in the state, but both local teams have enough talent to challenge for state tournament berths.

Puget Sound League volleyball standings as of Oct. 15, 2026.

The Seahawks host Lakes at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. Bellarmine comes to Gig Harbor’s gym at the same time and day.

Emi HansonSmith leads the Peninsula volleyball team in three statistical categories. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Easy wins for football teams

Both local high school football teams secured easy wins over PSL bottom-feeders in Week 6. Peninsula (4-2, 3-0 PSL) smashed North Thurston at home, 48-6. Gig Harbor (4-2, 3-0) beat Central Kitsap 35-12 in Silverdale.

The Seahawks’ band barely had time to get off the field before Landon Schultz returned the opening kickoff 92 yards. Logan Johnson caught a 9-yard bullet from Talon McDonnell two plays later to make the score 7-0.

After the Rams botched a punt, the Seahawks went down the field like a hot knife through butter. Their second touchdown was a one-yard Thomas Marzano run to make the score 14-0 with five minutes to go in the first quarter.

Landon Johnson of Peninsula returns the opening kickoff against North Thurston. Photo by Ed Johnson

It was all Seahawks after that as Peninsula dominated in all three phases of the game.

The Seahawks play at River Ridge (0-6, 0-3 PSL) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 before returning home for an Oct. 23 showdown against Lakes  (5-1, 3-0).

The Tides were equally impressive against Central Kitsap.

Gig Harbor struck first when senior running back Max Schwab ran up the middle behind road-grading senior center Rylon Clarence for a 22-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Puget Sound League football standings as of Oct. 15, 2026.

Tides linebacker Riggs Holland mugged a Cougar receiver and stole the ball from him on the next series. Senior running back Kaiden Lewis ran over a defender for a five-yard touchdown to make the score 14-0 in the first quarter.

The Tides host Silas (3-3, 2-1) at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, before facing Mount Tahoma (3-3, 3-0) in Tacoma in their regular-season finale on Oct. 23.

Riggs Holland of Gig Harbor celebrates after his strip and fumble recovery against Central Kitsap. Photo courtesy of Gig Harbor football