Coupeville Sports

The Islanders rest between games Saturday. (Kerry Rosenkranz photo)

The further they go in the tournament, the better they’re playing.

Capping Saturday afternoon off with its third game in two days, the GU19 Whidbey Islanders select soccer squad put together its best game so far in the 2014 Crossfire Select Cup.

Facing tourney host Crossfire, which is in first place, the Islanders fought to a 0-0 tie, a result that left Whidbey coach Sean LeVine in a much-improved mood.

“The afternoon was much better. We possessed much better and had several chances on their goal,” he said. “They were a well organized team and had chances on our end as well, but it looked like either of us could take it.

“I was pleased with the improvement.”

The Islanders opened the three-day tournament with another 0-0 tie Friday, this one against Franklin Pierce FC Fury, then fell 1-0 to the Whatcom Rangers Saturday morning.

Whidbey, which is playing without leading goal scorer Jacalyn Hefflefinger this weekend, has yet to score, but its defense has been stout.

The only score given up by the goal-tending duo of Kenzie Perry and Ayla Muller came on a bit of a fluke play.

“The goal came after a botched drop to our own goal keeper,” LeVine said. “Kenzie was still able to partially deal with it, but it fell favorably to a Ranger player who skied it.

“Kenzie couldn’t deal with it and it just glanced off the post as she was trying to catch it and fell in,” he added.

Now 0-1-2 in the tourney, the Islanders will play Bainbridge Island FC at 8 AM Sunday. Win that one and they return to play a fifth and final game at noon.

“We can compete with the best if we want it bad enough,” LeVine said. “We play tomorrow like we did this afternoon, we will win.”