Brian Thompson and Coupeville’s defense were in lock-down mode Friday afternoon. (Julie Wheat photo)
Sam Richards was the loneliest guy in town.
Exactly the way his coaches wanted it.
The Coupeville High School senior goaltender didn’t have to make a save during the first 74 minutes-plus of Friday’s 80-minute boys’ soccer district playoff game, as the Wolves romped to a 2-0 win over Puget Sound Adventist Academy.
The win, coming in a “home” playoff game on the wet turf at Oak Harbor’s Wildcat Memorial Stadium, lifts Coupeville to 9-5-1 on the season.
It also sends the Wolves on to the double-elimination portion of the District 1/2/3/4 tourney and puts them a win away from advancing to state for the first time since 2010.
CHS next plays two-time defending state champ Orcas Island (15-0-1) Tuesday, November 3 at Anacortes High School. Kickoff is set for 12:30 PM.
Win or lose, the Wolves return to action two days later against either Providence Classical Christian (9-4-1) or Auburn Adventist Academy (10-3-0).
You can see the bracket here:
Friday’s fracas, played in Oak Harbor because all soccer playoff games have to be held on turf, featured a Coupeville squad enjoying its best season in years and a Puget Sound team which backed into the playoffs having lost its last two games by a combined score of 11-0.
From the moment the last notes of the national anthem wafted away into the drizzly sky to the final whistle, it was a one-sided affair where 2-0 could have easily been much more lopsided.
The Wolves pressed the attack from the opening tap and much of the first half was played on one side of the field, with Coupeville strafing the Puget Sound goalie with frequent shots.
Unfortunately, none went in until a rampaging Edmund Wilson punched in a ball off of a rebound in the game’s 18th minute, leaving the Sharks netminder grasping at empty air.
The goal was the team-leading 13th of the season for the Wolf junior, and his 21st in the red and black, breaking a tie with William Nelson for sole possession of fourth place on the all-time CHS boys’ soccer career scoring list.
Upstairs in the press box, where it was toasty on a damp, chilly day, had great sightlines, and fresh Halloween candy was available, Coupeville Athletic Director Willie Smith leaned forward.
“Now attack like sharks to blood!” he commanded, and, to a point, the Wolves seemed to respond.
Coupeville launched several more shots in rapid succession, with Chayse Van Velkinburgh coming close twice to nailing paydirt on long bombs.
Sage Arends and Co. are running over people. (Jackie Saia photo)
The backbreaker finally arrived with less than four minutes to play in the opening half, as Sage Arends got his head into the game, using his noggin to bonk in a ball to stake the Wolves to a 2-0 lead.
His seventh goal of the season gives the senior captain 17 for his prep career, moving him into a tie with Ethan Spark for #6 on the aforementioned career scoring list.
The Wolves made the lead stand up, as a defense anchored by Brian Thompson and Wyatt Fitch-Marron proved unbreakable for much of the day.
Richards, who had previously picked up a few balls off of the ground, finally got a chance to go airborne and snag an incoming ball with 5:52 left on the clock, then made another nice stop on a shot with 5:09 to play.
Those two shots on goal were the extent of Puget Sound’s offensive attack, as Coupeville pocketed the win and was serenaded by a sizable chunk of fans who showed up for the matinee.
As his players celebrated in the locker room afterwards, CHS coach Jim Kunz cautioned that the Wolves need to be sharper the next time out, as the competition level increases.
But, for now, a win is a win, and a playoff win even sweeter.
“I’m proud of them,” he said. “They wanted it, and they went out and got it.”
