Peninsula Pirates Men send Gonzalez, others on to next college level

Miguel Gonzalez, center, has a nose for goal. The forward scored 31 last season for Peninsula College. He’s joining Peter Fewing and the Seattle University Redhawks this fall. (Jeff Halstead)

PORT ANGELES – Peninsula College men’s soccer scoring sensation Miguel Gonzalez has committed to play for the Seattle University this season.

—from the Pirates’ website—

Gonzalez, the two-time West Division Most Valuable Player who set both the single season and career goal scoring records at Peninsula, will continue his collegiate career with the Division I Redhawks. Miguel socred 31 regular season goals for the Pirates in 2011.

“We are very pleased with Miguel’s decision,” Pirate head coach Andrew Chapman said. “He will do really well at SU and has worked very hard to make this happen. I am sure he is going to have a very bright future.”

Eleven other players have also committed to play at the next level.

Matt Stefanko, Jacob Campbell, Jake Hughes, Dustin Walsh and Tyler Hindmarch are all heading to Division II Adam State in Colorado, Jared Wilson and Anthony Aguilar will play for Division II Colorado State University-Pueblo, Jeff Mullen heads to Division I Grand Canyon University in Arizona, Adam Skowron will suit up for former Peninsula College player and now coach of the Division III Whittier College in California, Shea Harwell, Michel Carbon will play for NAIA Northwest University in Kirkland and Yan Gioseffi will play for NAIA College of Idaho.

“All these guys have worked extremely hard for Peninsula College these past two years to make it to the next level,” Chapman said. “All twelve are receiving either athletic or academic aid to play on, which is fantastic. We wish them all the best of luck and are really looking forward to seeing them play for their next college.”

A 2011 Peninsula Daily News article featured the Miguel Gonzalez story:

Sometimes, he does it by dribbling through a collection of defenders. Other times, he runs into space or simply places the ball with a pin-point directional kick into the corner of the goal.

With his tremendous leaping ability, he can even get his solid 5-foot-8 frame in position to play balls in the air off crosses from his teammates.

There really is no cookie-cutter approach for him to score. 

Just whatever presents itself to Miguel in that moment.

“A lot of people say ‘How do you do it?’ But to me it’s just like anything else, I don’t even think about doing it, I just do it,” said Miguel, a good student with a 3.7 grade-point average who speaks English and Spanish fluently.

“I’ve already thought about it in my head, I don’t even have to think about it at that time. 

“I guess I’m just used to it, I don’t know. It’s weird.”

Whatever “it” is, it’s something few soccer players have. 

And it’s hardly something that Chapman — the Pirates coach for nine seasons — takes for granted.

“I’d love to say that I taught him everything he knows, but, no, this kid has got that natural talent,” Chapman said.

“He watches a lot of games. He gets better. He picks up on everything, so all we really did was surround him with players that complement him and help him out.

“It’s pretty amazing. It’s fun to watch. 

“He’s definitely an artist up front, and he’s a bit of a warrior, too.”

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