Coupeville Sports

The Islanders get a pre-game talk under dramatic skies. (Kali Barrio photo)

Kenzie Perry

No goals for you.

Assisted by a stellar defensive line, GU18 Whidbey Islanders net-minder Kenzie Perry was in lock-down mode this weekend, pulling off three consecutive shutouts at a prestigious tourney in Tukwila.

And while the Islanders couldn’t get one into the back of the net themselves, the resulting scoreless ties against the Rainier Valley Slammers, Kent United and Tacoma FC left Whidbey coach Sean LeVine sporting a huge smile.

“We had a great weekend! That’s three shutouts against some tough teams in a tough tourney!,” LeVine said. “This is the best our Islanders have ever done in this tourney.”

Making their third appearance in the tournament, which is held at the Starfire Complex, home of the Seattle Sounders, the Islanders fell just a goal short of playing in the championship.

And they did it at less than full-strength.

Whidbey had defender Paige Waterman playing on a sprained ankle, was missing several key players and had one star — Oak Harbor’s Becca Pabona — playing through jet lag after returning from a European trip Friday night.

“Our defense proved, once again, that they can take any team anytime,” LeVine said. “Kenzie was lights out in the goal, making at least one amazing diving save in each game.”

Her teammates flew around the field all weekend, chipping in with solid effort and inspired play.

Kendra Warwick and Erin Rosenkranz “solidified the center of the field and made it extremely difficult for the other team to play through the middle.”

Gillian Crossley, seeing her first action as a new member of the Islanders, “was a pleasant surprise at the striker position.”

“Her speed and strong beast-like presence up top opened up several opportunities to score and we expect her to do very well,” LeVine said.

“Our scoring machine, Jacalyn Hefflefinger, didn’t convert one this weekend, but she played out of position one day,” he added. “When she went to her bread and butter striker spot she was inches away from converting twice on crosses from Micky LeVine and Kendra.”

The Islanders will take a couple of days off to rest and then will begin preparing for their next tournament. That one is a huge one — the NCSAA College Showcase Tournament in Puyallup July 18-20.