Wolf defender Lindsey Roberts never loses her smile, even when she uses her body to block a cannon shot as she did Tuesday. (John Fisken photo)
The day began with Abby Wambach retiring.
After 14 years with the U.S. national soccer team, during which she made 252 international appearances and scored a record 184 goals, a legend who has inspired countless young women is headed to the locker room for the final time.
It was fitting then, that two teams full of young women who grew up in the age of Wambach, of Hope Solo and Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain and Alex Morgan, of womens’ soccer being ultra-successful and increasingly popular, ended the day by playing with the same passion and fire shown by their pro idols.
Capping regular season play, Coupeville and Port Townsend went at it Tuesday in a sometimes rough and tumble game, with the Wolves riding goals from Kalia Littlejohn and May Rose to a 2-0 win.
The victory evened the Wolves record at 6-6-3 overall, while lifting them to 4-2 in 1A Olympic League play.
Coupeville claimed second place in the four-team league for the second straight year, while improving its league record by a game over last season’s 3-3 mark.
The Wolves have now tied last year’s squad (6-7-1) for most wins in a single season, a mark they will attempt to break Saturday when they “host” a district playoff game on Halloween.
Unlike last year’s postseason opener, when it had to travel further than the “visiting” team, Coupeville has secured Oak Harbor’s stadium for the game.
Game time is currently set for 4 PM, though that may change.
The opponent will be the #3 team from the Nisqually League, which is almost certain to be Vashon Island, which knocked Coupeville out of the playoffs last year.
Win Saturday, and the Wolves advance to double elimination play, needing one win in two games to earn a trip to the state tourney.
To stay up to date on the playoff bracket, pop over to: http://www.olympicleague.com/tournament.php?tournament_id=1665&sport=11
Coupeville showed an ability to bounce back quickly Tuesday, shredding Port Townsend less than 24 hours after a tough road loss at Klahowya.
The Wolves pushed the pace early, with Sage Renninger ripping a booming shot on goal that narrowly missed.
With the RedHawks back on their heels a bit, Littlejohn took advantage, pulling out every fake and juke from her big box of tricks.
Charging down the left sideline, pump faking RedHawks into the parking lot, the frosh who’s drawn to the net like it’s filled with magnets, pulled off a dazzling goal to open the scoring.
Popping the ball to her back foot, she spun the Port Townsend goalie around, then dropped her to the ground like a bad habit, before skipping ever so gently to the side and banking the ball into a now-open net.
It was Littlejohn’s tenth goal of the season, a school record.
Coupeville stayed on the attack, with Renninger, Rose and Mia Littlejohn getting good looks at the net, but the Wolves went into halftime still clinging to a 1-0 lead.
Freshmen defender Lindsey Roberts went into the break limping slightly, after she sacrificed her gluteus maximus, swinging at the last second to take the full brunt of a RedHawk shot and deflect it away from her goal.
The ball hitting derriere issued a gunshot-like crack through the stadium, sent Roberts large fan section (and her teammates) into delirium over their girl’s sacrifice and brought a huge grin to Lindsey’s face … after a few moments of lurching around like a woman who had just been hit by a freight train.
Robert’s play typified the lock-down mentality shown by the Wolf defense.
Anchored by senior captain Jennifer Spark, CHS goalie Lauren Grove’s support crew was on point all afternoon, with Roberts, Mckenzie Meyer, Lauren Bayne, Taichen Rose and others forming an impenetrable wall.
The few times the RedHawks broke through, Grove was there to shut things down.
The first-year goaltender made several strong saves, with one especially nice one in the second half, where she gave up her own body to knock down, then corral, a laser at close range.
“Lauren has been just tremendous for us this season; she is doing a fantastic job in the box,” said Wolf coach Troy Cowan.
After a halftime celebration that honored Coupeville’s seniors — four-year starter Spark as well as fleet-footed Kirsten Pelroy and plucky Jovanah Foote — the Wolves turned to the silky-smooth Rose to seal the deal.
Trailing behind Pelroy as she launched an assault on the goal, Rose caught a loose ball with one toe, then flipped it past the flailing RedHawk goalie for her third score of the season.
The play was as smooth as the soft serve ice cream the Wolf junior serves up at her other job, working shifts at Dairy Queen.
And yes, that was a shameless plug in case anyone high up in the world of Dilly Bars is reading.
Coupeville Sports, where we never, ever say no to gift certificates…
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