Edmund Wilson comes flying onto the scene. (Julie Wheat photos)
“All I can say is look out, because Coupeville is on the hunt.”
A year after missing out on the playoffs, the Wolf boys’ soccer players are headed to the postseason with fire in their eyes, something head coach Jim Kunz hails.
After narrowly missing out on upsetting two-time defending state champion Orcas Island Tuesday on Senior Night, the Wolves open the District 1/2/3/4 tourney Saturday.
As the #5 team from District 1, Coupeville will be the home team in a game played at Mount Vernon High School with a noon kickoff.
Their opponent in the loser-out game will be the #4 team from District 2, and you can see the playoff bracket here:
Win Saturday and the Wolves advance to the double-elimination portion of the tourney and get a rematch with Orcas, which slipped away with a 3-1 win Tuesday.
Coupeville, on a night when it honored seniors Sam Richards, Solomon Rudat, and Sage Arends, led 1-0 with eight minutes and change left to play, before the high-powered Vikings made their run.
The loss drops the Wolves to a final mark of 5-3-1 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, while they sit at 8-5-1 overall.
That’s a big step up from last season, when they finished 5-9 and on the outside of the playoffs.
Senior captain Sage Arends is leading his team to the playoffs.
Facing an Orcas squad which has played in the last five 2B/1B state title games, winning three of them, Coupeville more than held its own.
Edmund Wilson beat the Vikings netminder for his team-leading 12th goal of the season, and 20th of his career — tying William Nelson for #4 on the CHS career scoring chart.
Meanwhile Richards was stellar in goal, while his defenders clamped down on the speedy Orcas shooters. For most of the way, at least.
“The boys were amazing,” Kunz said. “I know they can beat that team.
“There was some nervous play on our part and miscommunication, but we were in it. Orcas was worried.
“We saw them play other teams without their top five. We played their top team and well. I’m so proud of these young men.”
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