Converting scoring opportunities remains Priority No. 1 for the Grays Harbor College women’s soccer team.

Pierce College made better use of its chances in blanking the Chokers, 3-0, in an NWAC contest Saturday at Stewart Field.

The Chokers (0-7 in league play) have struggled to find the net this season. Saturday’s game was no exception.

Facing a Pierce club also seeking its first league victory (although the Raiders had four ties to their credit), GHC wasn’t overmatched on this occasion. Time of possession was relatively even. Although the Raiders owned a 19-12 advantage in shots, the Chokers possessed an 8-6 edge in that department in the second half.

By the time the Chokers got into their offensive flow, however, Pierce had already cashed in on a corner kick, crossing pass and breakaway.

Grays Harbor coach Chris Schumacher, who has placed most of his emphasis on building a defense, admitted that his club could have been more offensive-minded.

“There were a couple of occasions when we had (the ball) at the 18-yard box and we opted for the pass rather than the shot,” Schumacher said. “We’ve got to be more aggressive up top.”

The Chokers had the opportunity to draw first blood in the 14th minute. Taking a pass from Gabriela Vasquez, Grays Harbor freshman forward Taylor Birdsall drilled about an 18-yard shot toward the lower left-hand corner, but Raider goalkeeper Michelle Czarapata made a diving stop.

Grays Harbor goalkeeper Emily Bjornsgard, meanwhile, had made several quality saves in the early going.

In the 28th minute, however, Pierce’s Taylor Miller sent a corner kick right in front of the net. Kory Larkin one-touched it in from point-blank range.

The Raiders made it 2-0 about 12 minutes on a well-executed play. Amber Thompson chased down a long through pass and crossed it to Tayler VanDyke, who knocked perhaps a 12-yard shot into the lower left corner.

Pierce’s lone second-half goal came in the 57th minute. Raider forward Tyra Thibodeaux scored after stealing the ball from a Choker and breaking in alone on Bjornsgard.

The Chokers had at least two excellent chances to get on the scoreboard in the final 25 minutes. Brittany Snook’s corner kick in the 65th minute was headed by teammate Mary Davis to Cienna Mendez, but the latter’s 10-yard try sailed over the top of the net.

Some 10 minutes later, Davis beat the goalkeeper on a sharply angled shot from the right shot, but her shot skimmed off the crossbar.

Pierce’s VanDyke hit the post in the 69th minute.

Ocosta High grad Davis and freshman defender Ashley Marshall, who made several nice clearing passes to repel Raider threats, drew Schumacher’s post-game praise.

The match began in a drenching rain that lasted for much of the first half. The second half, however, was contested primarily in sunshire, although rain returned a few minutes following the final whistle.

The Chokers draw the league bye Wednesday before traveling to Centralia for a Saturday night contest.