Tides Girls Soccer Beat Seahawks for Inaugural Puget Sound League Title

Gig Harbor freshman forward Nadia Schwab scored two goals and senior midfielder Cailey Ridgeway added another as the Tides girls soccer team surged to a decisive 3-0 win over the Peninsula Seahawks Oct. 29 at Roy Anderson Field, claiming the new Puget Sound League’s first ever soccer championship.  

In a clash of crosstown rivals, the Tides (13-1-1 overall, 11-0-1 in PSL) maintained offensive pressure on Peninsula’s (12-2-1, 10-1-1) defense for much of the first half, testing Seahawks junior goalkeeper Brooklyn Finch with several early kicks within the first 5 minutes. Schwab broke a nearly half-long stalemate when she lofted a shot over Finch with just 15 seconds left in the first half. 

Into the second half, Narrows Division champion Gig Harbor kept up relentless offensive pressure, dominating possession and outshooting Peninsula 8 to 3. Ridgeway extended the Tides’ lead with a goal at the 15:37 mark, and Schwab sealed the win with her second goal of the night at the 9:20 mark.

Peninsula, the Nisqually Division champions, struggled to gain a foothold offensively against Gig Harbor’s stingy defense, which had allowed less than a goal per game all season. 

Seahawks star forward Ella Coates was held scoreless, but showed impressive footwork and ball control, especially when advancing the ball from midfield.

Coates and the Seahawks season continues. The first round of the 2024 District 3/4 Soccer Tournament kicks off Nov. 2 with both Gig Harbor and Peninsula expected to host their opening matches at Roy Anderson Field, their shared home turf. 

Wins on Saturday would set up potential second-round home games for both teams Nov. 5. The district championship is set for Nov. 9 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.