Erin Rosenkranz makes with the fancy footwork. (John Fisken photos)
She turned 18 the day before, but old age hasn’t slowed the spring in Micky LeVine’s step.
Kendra Warwick, motoring her way to Player of the Match honors.
Sean LeVine’s pillow might be a bit tear-stained this morning.
The GU19 Whidbey Islanders select soccer coach had a restless night after watching his squad fall apart a bit Sunday during its State Cup opener.
A day after closing the regular season with a thrilling win, the Islanders were sluggish, out of sorts and a step behind, falling 1-0 to visiting Seattle United South.
“It was pretty bad for us,” LeVine said.
Seattle United nabbed the game’s lone score inside the first 10 minutes, slipping a ball into the net off of a poorly-defended free kick.
“Our team apparently fell asleep during the free kick and allowed three players to run into the box unmarked and get about three touches on the ball before scoring,” LeVine said. “It way really ugly defending, or actually no defending.”
While the Whidbey defense clamped down after that, the offense was nonexistent for much of the day.
“Much of the rest of our game was sluggish and uninspiring,” LeVine said. “We had several great through passes to get in behind the defense, but poor timing or bad touches plagued us in the final third and we were unable to get any good shots off.”
The Islanders best opportunities both involved Micky LeVine.
On one, she took a through pass from Kendra Warwick and had the goalie beat, only to see the ball slide just wide of the open net.
On the second, Micky LeVine chipped the ball to Lydia Peplinski in front of the goal, but the young gun got caught up in a scrum and couldn’t get her shot off.
Playing with no reserves (again) and back-to-back games took its toll on the Islanders.
“We were the better team, but they came to play and we were too sluggish, possibly from playing a tough game the day before with no subs,” Sean LeVine said.
Warwick, the ultimate spark-plug, ran away with Player of the Match honors.
“That kid has a motor and she was flying around disrupting anything the other team tried to do in the middle,” Sean LeVine said. “She also put more through passes behind the defense than I could count.
“We just need someone to finish those chances that she creates.”
He also called out goaltender Kenzie Perry for her solid play in net.
“Kenzie kept us in the game, making some tough saves and she again played a full 90 in the net,” he said. “She’s been playing very well for us this season.”
The Islanders have two weeks off before returning to State Cup play. They’ll hit the road to play Seattle United Shoreline Sunday, April 12.
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