During the NWAC Championship match, Highline’s men’s soccer team fell just shy of securing a championship, coming up one penalty kick short against the now NWAC Champion team from Peninsula College.

With their place in the finals secured after defeating Rouge College in the semi-finals 5-1 (thanks to an impressive hat-trick from Zane May and the magic of Dugsiye Ahmed) Highline College took on Peninsula College in the final championship, competing to see who would be crowned champion of the conference. 

The tension in the air was palpable as the men’s soccer championship final unfolded at Starfire Sports Stadium on Nov. 12. The clash between Peninsula (the North Region Champion) and Highline (the West Region Champion) promised an intense battle, and both teams offered a game that will be remembered for years, with one of the strangest endings in the history of the conference.

The first half set the tone for the game, with Peninsula’s Matthew Enriquez scoring an impressive goal at 2:42, showing off his offensive prowess. However, Highline responded quickly at 18:16, with Zane May equalizing the score thanks to a precise pass from Edgar Tamayo to break the opponent’s defensive lines. The period ended with a yellow card for Mateo Enríquez and the teams headed to the locker room tied 1-1.

The second half was more frenetic and with more desperation on the part of both teams. Peninsula took the lead at 54:33 when Abdurahim Leigh scored, only for Highline’s Damoni McKenna-Green to tie the score after a series of rebounds and taking advantage of the poor response from the Peninsula defense, with under four minutes left and the clock at 86:35. 

At the end of 90 minutes of play the scoreboard was tied, a reflection of the equally competitive and skilled nature of the teams. As the clock ticked neither team could break the deadlock, and the referee signaled the end of regulation time – extending the play into an overtime battle.

The excitement continued into overtime, and the teams prepared for a penalty shootout. Tension reached a fever pitch as the shootout unfolded, with both teams showing incredible skill and nerves of steel.

The shootout unfortunately ended with Peninsula winning 11-10, securing its sixth NWAC Men’s Soccer Championship. The Pirates’ victory was a testament to their determination and resilience, while the Highline Thunderbirds fought bravely and demonstrated their skills throughout the match, and the season. Highline has not been crowned champions since 2021 and has accumulated a total of four championships.

The match attracted a crowd of 500 spectators, creating an electric atmosphere in the stadium. Referee Mike Hohnholz, and his assistants Aidan Velasco, and Matthew Suhr ensured a fair and exciting contest.

Ultimately, the Peninsula Pirates’ triumph will go down in the annals of NWAC men’s soccer history, adding another chapter to their storied legacy. As the players celebrated their hard-fought victory, fans left Starfire Sports Stadium with memories of an unforgettable championship final.