Booters stay scrappy against top-level foe

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Booters stay scrappy against top-level foe

September 17, 2026 by David Svien

Brian Thompson is a whirlwind of energy on the pitch. (Jackie Saia photo)

It was a rumble in the afternoon sun.

Playing earlier than normal thanks to a need for the visitors to catch a ferry, the Coupeville High School boys’ soccer squad wrapped a season-opening three-game homestand Thursday with a hard-fought 3-0 loss to Friday Harbor.

The defeat, coming in a “non-conference” game against a key Northwest 2B/1B League rival, drops CHS to 2-1 on the season.

Now, after playing three straight at Mickey Clark Field, the Wolves ride the bus the next three times out, with trips to play Grace Academy, Evangel Classical, and La Conner.

The last of those three will be the first game to count in the league standings, before Coupeville plays four of its next five back in Cow Town.

Thursday’s matchup was competitive from start to finish, with Friday Harbor clinging to a 1-0 lead at the half before slipping in a pair of second-half goals to stretch the margin out.

Coupeville, which had racked up 12 goals across its first two games, had some good looks at the net, but was denied by an aggressive defense and a sure-handed goalkeeper.

The Wolves own defense put out maximum effort, forcing Friday Harbor to earn its scores and chasing down several would-be breakaways.

Wyatt Fitch-Marron keeps an eye on the ball. (Jackie Saia photo)

CHS coach Jim Kunz gave props to Brian Thompson and Wyatt Fitch-Marron for leading the fight, with the duo both ending the game with a collection of bumps and bruises, but an unbowed spirit.

“Brian worked his butt off out there for us, and I really appreciate it,” Kunz said. “Wyatt as well.

“This was very much a defensive game, and having our defenders stay on point and keep pushing the ball forward kept it close and didn’t allow Friday Harbor to blow us out.”

The teams meet again October 15 on Friday Harbor, in what will be the seventh of nine games which count in the race for playoff spots, and Kunz said his squad will be ready for the challenge.

“We’ll continue to refine things,” he said.

“Some mistakes were made, but we’ll work to clean those up, make the necessary changes and get ready for the second time we play them, then go crush it.”