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Jacki Ginnings, seen here in an earlier game, and her teammates on the Whidbey Islanders GU18 soccer squad haven’t lost in eight games. (John Fisken photo)

It was a tie, but it felt almost like a win.

Keeping its unbeaten streak alive at eight games, the Whidbey Islanders GU18 select soccer squad battled to a 1-1 draw with visiting Pacific Sound United of Everett Sunday.

The tie kept the Islanders (8-2-1) in first place heading into their season finale Saturday, Mar. 29 — a rematch with the United on their home turf.

Going into Sunday’s match, Islander coach Sean LeVine expected a battle, and that’s what he got.

“We expected this was one of the tougher teams in the league and we were right,” he said. “This team was faster than many of the teams we’ve played this season, and they also had some height.

“First half, we had to absorb too much of their possession on our half, but we improved second half,” LeVine added. “However, both halves we definitely looked like the more dangerous team on the attack. We had several near misses and shots by multiple players and they only had three shots on goal.”

After a scoreless first half, Alyssa Cross broke through for the Islanders in the second half.

Coming from her left defender spot, she popped a ball 40 yards (“A great shot!!”) and watched in delight as it went up and over the United goalie, who had been straying too far from her net.

Pushing hard, Everett finally got the equalizer in the game’s final moments.

“Their big bruiser of a striker beat our defense, but only to the end line well wide of goal,” LeVine said. “However, the girl put a cross in that went over our keeper’s hands and just barely hit the inside of the far post and into the net.

“It was an impossible angle, was probably meant to be a cross,” he added. “If the wind had been blowing just right, it wouldn’t have snuck in, but it did.”

Even with the fluke of a late score, LeVine came away pleased with his team’s performance, and he singled out Cross for extra credit, naming her the player of the game.

“Despite being sick this week and injured for much of the season, Alyssa gave us another 90 minutes of solid defense, shutting down any attack from their right and taking a yellow card for a good hard body check,” he said. “Despite the referee trying to get in her head, she played her game and did not back down.”

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