'Cats end season on tough note

Record-wise, it was a difficult season for the Oak Harbor soccer program.

But that’s not how head coach Steve Barker rated his team’s performance as he walked off the field for the final time in 2006.

“The scoreboard doesn’t tell you much about the team, I’ll tell you that,” he said. “They’re a great group of boys, they really are.”

The Wildcats ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Mount Vernon Friday and finished 3-12-1 in a tie with Monroe for seventh place in the Western Conference North. The record left them with two more wins than last season’s 1-12-3 performance.

A tight-lipped Barker didn’t want to speak much after a disappointing final game, but spoke proudly of his team’s effort for the season. Highlights included two 4-1 victories over Arlington, a 2-0 win over Monroe and a close 1-0, double overtime loss to second-place Lake Stevens (14-2).

Although it ended on a rough note, Oak Harbor had its opportunities Friday, but couldn’t convert at the offensive end.

The Wildcats took four shots on goal in the first half, while the Bulldogs had five. It was the quality of shots, however, that were the difference. Mount Vernon got two open looks and didn’t miss on either.

Senior midfielder Sean Connor put the first score on the board six minutes into game, scoring from 15 yards out. Senior teammate Corey Holloran added another in the 19th minute, scoring on a breakaway.

Just six minutes into the second half, Mount Vernon’s Damian Salinas put the game out of reach, scoring on another unassisted goal.

OHHS managed five more shots in the second half, but didn’t have any real quality looks. MVHS, which ended its season at 8-7-1 and one win out of a playoff berth, out-shot the Wildcats 15-9 for the game.

Eight seniors played their final games as Wildcats on Friday, including Greg Hanshaw, Christian Nunez, Andrea Donini, Rob Lemme, Cory Fakkema, Matt Poggie, Keith Lokkins and Brian Wandell.

•Note: Cory Fakkema recently signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Northwestern College next fall. He is slated to play defense for the NAIA Raiders who are based in Orange City, Iowa.

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