Three goals in the first 30 minutes sent the Clark College men’s soccer team on its way to a playoff-clinching win on Saturday.
The Penguins beat visiting Pierce 5-0, improving to 7-1 in Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges league play.
Bernardino Ayala-Jimenez scored two goals and added an assist for Clark (12-2-1 overall). The Penguins are 11 points ahead of second-place Pierce in the South Division standings.
Defender Sean Melby from Camas opened the scoring in the 13th minute, netting his first goal of the season with an assist from Enrique Esparaza. Ten minutes later, Bernardino Ayala-Jimenez made it 2-0 with an assist from Bryanth Garcia-Junco.
In the 28th minute, Juan Ayala-Jimenez scored the third Clark goal.
Bernardino Ayala-Jimenez scored his 13th goal of the season early in the second half and Antony Gonzalez finished off the scoring.
Goalkeeper John Hickey made three saves in the shutout.
Clark hosts Chemeketa at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
Women’s soccer — Megan Beal had two goals and an assist and Clark scored all of its goals after halftime in a 4-0 win over visiting Pierce.
Beal opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with an assist from Zilha Ramic. She made it 2-0 seven minutes later, converting an Alexandra White assist. Beal then set up LeeAnn Lauritzen’s goal in the 65th minute. A Kai Davidson goal in the 71st minute capped the scoring.
Clark (5-4-1) is third in the South Division. Saturday’s win extended the lead over fourth-place Pierce to 10 points. The Penguins trail second-place Lane by three points.
Clark hosts Chemeketa at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
