Soccer: King's slips by Coupeville in shootout

After coming off a thrilling shootout victory over Cedarcrest last Thursday, the Coupeville soccer team experienced the emotion of the other end as the Wolves fell 1-0 at first-place King’s in a shootout Tuesday, March 29.

The shootout went to the seventh shooter before it was decided by a fingertip save by King’s keeper Logan Griffis, denying Coupeville its first win ever on the Knights’ field.

The two schools scrapped through 80 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of overtime without registering a goal.

Wolves’ coach Paul Mendes said, “Our defense played very well, shutting out a top team…That was the bright spot.  This was best, most competitive game we played on Kings' field.”

In the shootout phase, the first Knight shooter booted over the bar, then Griffis made an “outstanding diving save” of Grayson Knott’s shot, according to Mendes.

The next five players found the net for both schools, with the Wolves getting goals from Nathan Lamb, Nevin Miranda, Jack Caselden, Andre Stone and Luke Pelant.

The Knights also scored on the next shot, and then Griffis stopped Zach Forland’s kick.

Mendes said, “It looked like the ball was going to go in after Logan Griffis tipped it, but he followed up with a second effort and stopped the ball just before it crossed the goal line.”

King’s (4-0, 4-0) remained undefeated with the win.

Coupeville (1-2-1, 1-2) faces South Whidbey (4-1, 2-1) Friday, April 1, at 6 p.m.

Mendes said, “We need to go back to work on improving our game and prepare for a big game against our Island rival South Whidbey…It is the big ‘derby,’ and I know our boys will be up for it.”

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

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