Coupeville Sports

Erin Rosenkranz (John Fisken photo)

Not every team needs subs.

As his squad progresses further into the season and continues to play nearly all of its games with a minimum 11 players (or less), GU19 Whidbey Islanders select soccer coach Sean LeVine has learned to go with the flow.

“Missing key players is our new norm and we’ve finally started playing like it,” he said. “As far as experience goes, this season is giving us that.

“Unfortunately it is a steep learning curve and our improvement has come at the expense of our season’s record,” LeVine added. “However, I expect things will get much better!”

His positive outlook remained in place even after the Islanders lost a 1-0 nail-biter on the road Saturday to Kent United.

“This was our best game of the season and I am very proud of our play,” LeVine said. “With a full squad we’d have taken it, I think.”

Whidbey lost goal-scoring threat Lydia Peplinski at the last second due to an ankle injury suffered in basketball, and that left the Islanders with an empty bench.

11 players were on hand and 11 players took the field and never came off.

And, other than a late goal on a bit of a fluke play where Kent poached a throw-in, the Islanders played their much deeper rivals (five bodies on the bench) straight up.

“This was definitely the best team we’ve faced this season,” LeVine said. “They looked like the better team for most of the first half, but we improved as the game went on.”

He praised the play of Erin Rosenkranz and Bailee Olson, who both lined up at positions other than the ones they normally call home.

“I made a tactical change and put Erin at right back and moved Bailee to center mid and it really paid off!,” LeVine said. “Erin was an excellent defender today. Her patience and tackling ability really shined!

“Bailee’s speed and aggression really upped our tempo and put pressure on them.”

Whidbey had two superb chances at breaking into the scoring column, but narrowly missed on both.

On the first one Gillian Crossley went just wide of the net while being laid out “linebacker style” by Kent’s six-foot-two goaltender.

Later Kendra Warwick and Micky LeVine put together a give-and-go down the sideline, with LeVine setting up Hailey Erbe for the shot on goal.

Once again, however, it slid just wide of the target.

Still, Sean LeVine was happy with the way his squad refused to go down easily.

“We looked like the better team second half, and despite having no subs and them having five subs, I think it was, in large part, due to our superior conditioning and experience playing in these situations.”

The Islanders return to Whidbey for their next match, hosting a Crossfire team Saturday, Feb. 7. Kickoff is 3 PM at Ft. Nugent.