Sophia Greene outruns a rival for a ball earlier this season. (Jackie Saia photos)
“I’m speechless, this was a dream come to completion.”
Coupeville High School girls’ soccer coach Jasmine Ader was all smiles under the lights Thursday night, as she congratulated CHS boys’ pitch guru Jim Kunz.
Then the duo gave each other a high-five, and the party was rockin’ on the prairie.
Both Wolf coaches, in their first year of leading their respective programs, ended their campaign with a convincing win, putting an exclamation point on the opening chapter in what they hope will be long, successful best sellers.
While the Coupeville boys won at home Thursday, their female counterparts put a bow on things down the road in Bothell, bouncing host Providence Classical Christian 5-1.
The victory lifts the Wolf girls to 4-7-1 in their return to the pitch after a two-year absence, with Ader’s squad closing the season with a 3-1-1 run over its final five games.
A team with one senior (Frankie Tenore), no juniors, and one sophomore (Lillian Ketterling), just got stronger and more dangerous as the season developed, a testament to the freshmen and 8th graders growing into their new roles.
“We had so much growth,” said a jubilant Ader, who only had six girls on her roster in July — with the first game set for Sept. 8 — and finished with 15 booters, eight of whom scored.
“They accepted that challenge I made to them and put everything they had into it — the players, their families, our supporters, everyone.
“I have so much gratitude and am so happy I get to be out here every day doing my passion — coaching soccer.”
With the Coupeville girls’ soccer program relaunching after two seasons of being shut down due to a lack of players, the chance for the Wolves to earn a playoff berth was largely tabled by Northwest 2B/1B League officials.
Mount Vernon Christian, Lopez Island, and La Conner claimed District 1’s three postseason slots, but CHS will be back in the hunt for extra games next season.
Be ready to rumble.
“These girls have shown they are willing to put in the work, and be not just Wolves, but alpha Wolves,” Ader said with a smile.
“One goal? That’s nice. Two goals? That’s better. But three goals? Do I dare? I do. Oh yes, they shall fear the furious feet of Lillian Ketterling this fine day!!”
Coupeville closed with a fury, with Ketterling doubling her season scoring totals from three to six in one torrid afternoon.
Collecting her first high school hat trick, the laser-launching assassin was joined by frosh Tamsin Ward and 8th grader Sophia Greene, who also beat the PCC goalie with perfectly placed shots.
Ward’s goal was her 15th of the year, tying her with Kalia Littlejohn in 2017 for the second-best single season performance by a Wolf girl.
Meanwhile, Greene became the sixth different 8th grader to net a score this season, with middle school aces accounting for 12 of Coupeville’s 33 goals.
Final scoring stats:
Coupeville Sports 