Soccer: Coupeville edges Cedarcrest in shootout

The Coupeville soccer team earned some pay back by defeating visiting Cedarcrest in a shootout Thursday, March 24.

Last season the Wolves blew a late lead and then eventually lost in a shootout to Cedarcrest; this season was Coupeville’s turn to get the dramatic win.

After a 1-1 tie and two scoreless overtime periods, the two clubs went eight deep into the shootout where Taylor Phillips booted home the winner.

Coupeville (1-1-1, 1-1) and the Red Wolves (1-1-1, 1-1) were scoreless until the visitor’s C.J. Mowry scored at the 60-minute mark off a long cross.

The Wolves countered on a similar goal eight minutes later when Jack Caselden’s cross was netted by Nevin Miranda.

From that point the match was “hotly contested” and “emotional” according to Coupeville coach Paul Mendes, but neither team could hit the winning goal.

Both teams failed to mount a threat in the overtime periods.

Grayson Knott’s shot sailed wide to open Coupeville’s side of the shootout. Then the Wolves converted three straight from Nathan Lamb, Miranda and Caselden.  With the count tied at three, Andre Stone had a chance to win it on the final shot but booted wide.

The Red Wolves hit their first two shots in the 1-on-1 round and Coupeville countered with goals by Luke Pelant and Zach Forland.  Cedarcrest missed its next attempt, setting Phillips up for his winner.

Mendes called the match “scrappy” and “not flowing” but said his team’s effort, conditioning and spirit helped overcome its mistakes.

He said, “We still have a long ways to go on our passing…But this win gives us a lot of confidence.”

Next up is a match at King’s (2-0, 1-0) Tuesday, March 29, at 6:45 p.m.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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