The Spartan defense showed up against a tough Port Angeles team.

The Bainbridge Spartans (9-2, 9-0 in Olympic League) beat the Port Angeles Roughriders (8-3, 6-3 OL) 2-0 Oct. 9 at home, marking the team’s eighth shutout of the season.

Bainbridge previously beat PA 4-0 Sept. 16 on the road.

“We knew they [PA] would be physical,” Spartan coach Katie Drovdahl said. “So I think going in, we were just trying to stay organized defensively and capitalize on our chances.”

Spartan Eliza Jurcak scored the first goal of the game off a breakaway from the middle portion of the field, giving Bainbridge a 1-0 lead with 24:03 remaining in the first half.

PA attempted to rally by forcing the ball into Bainbridge territory multiple times over the following seven minutes, but couldn’t generate any shots on goal behind the strong Spartan defense.

A penalty on PA landed another goal from Spartan Rosey Romney off a free kick, giving Bainbridge a 2-0 lead with ten minutes remaining in the first half.

Jurcak noted how the Spartans approached the game offensively.

“Our wings are really powerful,” Jurcak said. “So playing up the line and our crosses [were] really strong to the middle.”

The beginning of the second half drew similar parallels to the first, with neither squad able to maintain consistent control of the ball and generate scoring opportunities. No goals were scored in the second half.

“We’re focusing more this year on being an attacking team and possessing the ball,” Drovdahl said. “So if we’re possessing the ball, the other team’s not scoring, right?”