Late goal saves Wildcats | Soccer

A late goal and a stingy defense helped the Oak Harbor High School soccer team tie Shorewood 1-1 Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Wildcat Memorial Stadium.

Though it was not a win, it was a nice recovery by the Wildcats who were outscored by Shorewood 15-0 in a pair of matches last fall.

Oak Harbor (0-5-2) now goes to Everett (6-0-1) Thursday, Sept. 29, for a 7 p.m. match.

Shorewood (2-3-2) scored first off a deflection in the 26th minute. Oak Harbor knotted the score when it hit the equalizer in the 78th minute set up by Chelsea Atkinson's corner kick. The ball was cleared to Sarah Young who hit Faith Franssen who popped in the goal.

Coach Jeff Laiblin said sophomore Annie Leete played the "best game of her high school career in goal for us." He added Leete was "by far our MVP for the game, denying several Shorewood opportunities."

In overtime, Shorewood turned back several Wildcat scoring chances, and Leete recorded a strong save.

Laiblin said, "Each player stepped up and played their role...I really could name so many players that had a great game, because they all did."

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

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