Sage Arends and Co. are learning under fire. (Jackie Saia photos)
Gotta stare down the big dogs.
Mount Vernon Christian has a rich tradition on the soccer pitch and is annually one of the best in the region.
But that doesn’t mean a young, scrappy Coupeville High School boys’ squad has to give in easily to the Hurricanes.
So, while CHS fell 8-1 at MVC Wednesday, the game was much more hotly contested than the score might have indicated.
“In the first half we held them off,” said Wolf coach Jim Kunz. “MVC let us and the refs know that they were annoyed.
“It seemed like they thought it would be an easy win. We made them work for it.”
The Hurricanes “pumped up their physicality and scoring efforts” in the second half, pulling away a bit, which caused “a frustrated CHS (to) start reverting to old tactics of double teaming and booting the ball.”
But even in a loss, Jim Kunz saw positives.
“Despite the score I’m happy with the progression I’m seeing out of this young team,” he said. “They had a change in coaching, a number of seniors graduated, and no seniors this year.
“Considering that we’re playing much better than I assumed.”
Now sitting at 1-2 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 3-6 overall, Coupeville got its lone goal off the foot of Edmund Wilson, with an assist going to Edmund Kunz.
It was Wilson’s team-leading fourth score of the campaign, and the 30th scored by his family, as older bothers Aidan and Cael tallied 13 goals apiece during their days in red and black.
The Wolves return to action this Friday, playing under the lights at Coupeville’s Mickey Clark Field.
Grace Academy is the foe, kickoff is set for 6:00 PM, and admission is free.
Sam Richards will defend his home goal Friday night.
