UNIVERSITY PLACE – In a battle full of shot opportunities between two SPSL conference foes, it was the goal keeping that proved to be the difference in this one, helping the Vikings of Curtis walk away with the 13-5 win over Peninsula, Saturday afternoon at Curtis High School.

Coming into the matchup with a 9-3 overall record on the season, the Vikings have proved time and time again that their offense is completely capable of scoring, racking up a total of 125 goals on the season. This game was no different. Curtis saw 5 different players with multiple goals on the stat sheet by the time this one was over.

The Vikings went to work early, scoring the first two goals of the game to gain the momentum edge immediately. Freshman Jason Rojas hyped up an already rowdy crowd with a shifty inside finish to send the Vikings into the break with a 4-2 lead over Peninsula.

In the 2nd, it was much of the same back-and-forth play, with Peninsula putting up 2 more goals, and Curtis answering back with 3 of their own. TJ Banks, Gaven Haley, and AJ Hormann all contributed to the victory, scoring 2 of their own for the Vikings.

The 2nd half saw Curtis gain some lead-way - scoring 3 in the 3rd and shutting out the Seahawks in the process. Vikings’ goalie Connor Jackson recorded another very solid outing, tallying a 69% save in a performance that saw continuous saves of the Seahawk snipers, and multiple doorstep snags.

Though Curtis’ defense was stingy all game, Peninsula had plenty of shot opportunities, totaling 16 on cage. Captain Bryce Wilder and sophomore Evan Johnson put up 4 of the team’s 5 goals in the bout, but it wasn’t enough to hang on to Curtis’ fourth quarter, 3-goal run, and the Vikings walked away with the 13-5 victory.

The win puts Curtis at 9-3 on the season, and 5-3 in conference play, while Peninsula moves 3-5. With weeks to go, both teams are still in perfect playoff contention. The Seahawks take on 4-4 conference rival White River next for a chance to move up in the SPSL D.II standings, while Curtis takes on Olympic Conferences’ Klahowya (6-3).