Coupeville Sports

    Danny Savalza is one of eight Wolf seniors hoping to play deep into the playoffs. (John Fisken photo)

Even shorthanded, the Wolves put a scare into King’s.

Playing minus co-captain Luke Pelant (out with a bruised hip) Friday, the Coupeville High School boys’ soccer squad almost ruined their host’s Senior Night festivities, pushing them into overtime before losing a 2-1 thriller.

Sean Donley, who banged home his team’s goal in regulation, barely missed on a potential game-winning shot mere seconds into the extra period. King’s immediately countered with a crossing play from the left side, slipping a short-range shot into the back of the net.

Still, with three wins in their final five games, and the tantalizing possibility of a fourth, the Wolves (3-13) are playing like a different team than the one that struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the early part of the season.

“It was a very close game,” said Wolf coach Paul Mendes. “We played very well, especially considering we were missing some starters.”

With Pelant out, junior Brett Arnold stepped up and directed the defense, doing “an excellent job.”

Nathan Lamb, coming off of a hat trick against Granite Falls, “had another strong game with four dangerous shots in regulation time, forcing their goalkeeper to make some fine saves.”

“It was an intense game. Our boys were not intimidated, playing on their field and for their Senior Night,” Mendes said. “A number of our guys have shown recent improvement.

“They have grown in the quality of their play and confidence,” he added. “It has been encouraging to see, as we approach the postseason.”

Coupeville will open district play with a loser-out game Wednesday, May 1 against the #1 team from the Northwest Conference.

Win that, and they’re guaranteed to advance to tri-districts, after additional games Thursday and Saturday for seeding purposes.