Coupeville Sports

Lillian Ketterling leads the Wolf booters into battle. (Jerry Helm photos)

They picked up right back where they left off.

Lyla Grose and Hazel Goldman made strong pitch debuts as 8th graders a year ago, and Thursday afternoon on Lopez Island, the Coupeville High School freshmen got right back to scaring rival soccer goalies.

With the fab frosh rattling home a goal apiece, and fellow 9th grade ace Finley Helm locking down things in the net, the Wolf booters battled their hosts to a 2-2 tie in the season opener for both squads.

While the game was a rumble between Northwest 2B/1B League foes and counts in the conference standings, a change from previous seasons dictates no overtime or penalty kicks for regular season games in District 1 clashes this time around.

Wins count for three points and ties for one this year, so Coupeville and Lopez currently sit in a tie for second place in the seven-team standings behind Providence Classical Christian, which bounced Orcas Island 1-0 Thursday afternoon.

Young and ready to rumble.

Her goal on Lopez Island gives Grose seven in a CHS uniform, after she banked in six while still in middle school.

Goldman netted the second of her run as a Wolf, having already tied her scoring output from last season.

Grose moves into a five-way tie for #10 on the all-time CHS girls’ soccer scoring list, joining a group that includes former Wolf snipers Marisa Etzell, Alexia Hemphill, Micky LeVine, and Carolyn Lhamon.

Coupeville returns to action with three straight home games, starting with a non-league matchup Saturday with Mariner. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM and admission is free.

After that the Wolves welcome NWL rivals Providence Classical Christian and Orcas to Cow Town on September 16 and 18, respectively.