Lauren Grove at work. (John Fisken photo)
Troy Cowan was on cloud nine.
Even though his Coupeville High School girls’ soccer squad took a 1-0 non-conference loss at La Conner Tuesday, that was the least of his concerns.
First and foremost was the health of his star defender and team captain, Jenn Spark, who momentarily gave him an epic wave of angina.
Spark, who suffered a devastating ACL/MCL injury as a junior, was running for a ball late in the game Tuesday.
After missing the elusive orb, she went down, momentarily recreating memories of last season for her coach.
“With all seriousness I have to say I was about to have a heart attack!!!,” Cowan said. “She took a (Tim) Tebow pose for like seven seconds that seemed like 30 minutes!!
“My heart went to my shoes and memories of my ER visit returned and started haunting my soul!!!,” he added. “She slowly got up and was wobbly and didn’t look right and within seconds the match was over.
“She was denying anything and everything and later I find out there was a twinge, but later in the night her mom sends me a comforting text that she is okay!!! And I can finally fall asleep at 3:15 AM…”
While the loss, coming in Coupeville’s first game after 10 days off, dropped the Wolves to 2-4-3, coming so close to a very good La Conner (10-2) team while giving his bench a thorough workout was also cause for joy for Cowan.
“They did awesome!!! Last non-conference match, so I played a lot of bench players because I know once conference matches start my rotation will go down to about 13-14 players,” he said.
“We actually dominated the entire match and totally controlled possession throughout,” Cowan added. “I was so happy with the way we played.”
The Wolves, who kick off their six-game 1A Olympic League schedule with a trip to Chimacum Thursday, are a very young team.
CHS lost eight seniors, all key players, to graduation in the spring.
“Only having two returning seniors (Spark and Kirsten Pelroy) really allows us to rebuild and focus on building from the ground up and this team has proven that they will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come!!!,” Cowan said.
Cowan was especially pleased with his defense.
“Everything on our team starts and ends with our defensive unit and last night they were just on full tilt!!!,” Cowan said. “Lindsey Roberts especially, just her masterful ball control was unbelievable and her decision making as a freshman was truly remarkable!!
“Lauren Bayne and Mckenzie Meyer are two outstanding, incredibly intelligent young ladies with brilliant soccer careers in front of them,” he added.
Also drawing big praise was junior Lauren Grove, who made the jump from volleyball this season and has moved right in as the starting goaltender.
“Our goalie, get out!!! I can’t say enough good things about her,” Cowan said. “Master performance last night!!! Lauren Grove is a beast in the box.
“Not sure where she has been or why she has not been playing soccer but I want to thank the soccer Gods for sending this athlete to the Lady Wolves because she is not only saving goals but turning heads and catching the attention of some big league coaches eyes!!!”
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