PASL Premier NW sees Pumas, Shock in the lead

The Ruckus (white, blue) and Aviators played a thrilling 5.9 derby match. Now the local rivals hope to get wins against everyone else. (Wilson Tsoi)

We are only three matches in to the 2012-13 PASL Premier NW Division season, but that is nearly half-way home. In a division decided by just eight matches each contest takes on double meaning. So it is that the 2-0-1 records (7 points) held by the Kitsap Pumas and South Sound Shock give them an advantage heading into the new year.

It’s all going to kick off with a bang, as the Shock visit the Pumas in Bremerton on January 5th. That same night the Snohomish Skyhawks visit the Arlington Aviators, the WSA Rapids are in Wenatchee against the Fire, and the Tumwater Pioneers have their long-awaited home opener against the Marysville Ruckus. Oregon Blacktails FC are the club with a bye.

Here are a few items of note so far in league play:

• The expansion Blacktails lead the league with 30 goals
• Kitsap and Snohomish have the stingiest defenses so far (four goals per match)
• The WSA Rapids are off to stumbling start as defending champions
• Goal differential isn’t everything: points are. South Sound is only +4, but they have edged out two wins and a draw
• Remaining matches: Kitsap, South Sound, Snohomish, Oregon, WSA, Wenatchee, Marysville, Arlington, Tumwater

Playoff Format

The top four teams after eight matches will make the playoffs. Then it will be #1 hosting #4 and #2 hosting #3 on February 15 with the winners moving on to the division final on Sunday the 17th at the home of the highest remaining seed. That match winner is the division champion and represents the PASL NW in the national playoffs.

The current standings show that all clubs are still alive for a top-four finish, but the door will be closing fast as the weeks quickly tick off to eight matches played.

The Rapids (reddish shirts) and Shock played a thriller just before the holiday break. Now both focus on making the playoffs. (Wilson Tsoi)

About these ads