Soccer: Coupeville loses at state but completes finest year

Although the Coupeville boys soccer team lost to Overlake 4-0 Tuesday, May 18, at Sammamish High School in the first round of the state tournament, the Wolves completed their finest year in the sport.

Coupeville posted its best league (8-6) and season records (13-9) ever and advanced to the state tournament for the second consecutive year, an impressive feat for a program just five years old.

Coach Paul Mendes, in his fourth year, said, “We accomplished a lot. I am proud of this group. It proved it could bounce back after tough loses.”

Against undefeated Overlake (17-0-1), the Wolves were under constant pressure from the Owls’ offensive attack. Coupeville goal keeper Evan Ameluxen-Coleman had to perform a slick save in the first 30 seconds of the match to keep Overlake from scoring in its first possession – and the assault rarely let up.

For the first 30 minutes, Coupeville rarely crossed midfield as the Owls punched in goals at the 11- and 24-minute marks. From that point, the Wolves produced more scoring opportunities for themselves but couldn’t convert.

The Owls added goals at the 38- and 50-minute marks.

Mendes said, “I am proud that we came back in the second half. Everyone was playing hard and with discipline.”

It was the final match for the Coupeville seniors: co-captains Ameluxen-Coleman and Spencer Tack and classmates Jordan Lamb, Travis Curtin, Riley Quinn, Justin Adams and Garrett Knoll.

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

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