Coupeville Sports

Cael Wilson brings the lightning and the thunder. (Finn Price photos)

The opening act was a huge success.

Kicking things off Saturday in the first game of a soccer/football doubleheader at Mickey Clark Field, the Coupeville High School co-ed booters romped to their first win of the season.

Controlling the action from first whistle to the last moment of action, the Wolves bounced visiting Grace Academy 3-1 in a game which felt incredibly one-sided.

The non-conference win against a league rival lifts CHS to 1-2-1 on the season.

The teams will meet a second time later this season in Marysville in a tilt which will count in the conference standings.

If Saturday’s game was a taste of what’s to come, it should make Wolf fans quite happy.

Punching in two goals before halftime, Coupeville seized control of the game and never let go.

The first score came courtesy senior Cael Wilson, who got a gift from the Grace Academy goalie.

The visiting netminder lost control of the ball while trying to clear it in front of his net, with the orb bouncing right to the rampaging Wolf.

Wilson slipped past his rival, took a quick step or two, then slapped home the game’s first goal a little over 12 minutes into play.

Sage Arends outduels his rivals.

From there, the Wolves added a second tally, with Sage Arends alertly picking up a loose ball while stuck in a pack of players, before popping a shot into the back of the net.

CHS goalie Hurlee Bronec was lights out while holding Grace Academy scoreless in the first half, then moved out into the field after the break.

Sam Richards replaced him in net and also clamped down on the visitors, though one ball got through (barely) during a wild melee with 17 minutes to play.

Mason Butler preaches loves, while hammering fools on defense.

Coupeville’s defenders stood tall in the waning moments, denying Grace a chance to tie, with Mason Butler and Lillian Ketterling among those blunting incoming attacks.

The insurance goal came in stoppage time after Wolf 8th grader Brian Thompson and the Grace goalie collided in the box.

The young whiz kid stepped aside to let his fellow ginger, Wilson, line up the penalty kick, and the grizzled vet hit paydirt.

Banking in his second goal of the afternoon, he notched his third score of the campaign and ninth of his prep career.

Wilson is now tied with Angel Partida as the team’s top scorer this season.