Oak Harbor High School soccer coach Jeff Laiblin took a “the glass is half full” attitude about his team’s 5-0 loss to visiting Mount Vernon Friday, March 16.

“We played our best game of the season to date in front of a wonderful crowd,” he said. “The final score of 0-5 does not represent how well we played. If we had played previous games as well as we did last night, I believe previous results would have been different. We did great things on both sides of the ball against what was arguably our best opponent to date.

“The coaches are really happy with what we saw.”

Laiblin didn’t know what to expect heading into the match. His weary club was playing its fourth match of the week against a talented team that was fresh.

“We asked the players to dig deep and attempt to achieve step by step goals during the match, and they did,” Laiblin said.

The Wildcats applied consistent offensive presence, he said, and their defense was well organized and gave up “only one real goal.”

Laiblin praised the defensive efforts of Andrew Eaton and Ridgely Briddell and offensive work of Eric Closson and Nathan Merrill.

The match was a confidence booster, Laiblin said, and gives his team momentum heading into the conference season.

The Wildcats’ first five Wesco matches feature four teams that qualified for district last year.

“We know league will be a challenge, but with our new confidence we are ready to take the challenge on,” Laiblin said.

Oak Harbor (0-3-1) host Lynnwood (0-2-0) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 20.

Oak Harbor keeper Maxwell Brighton turns back the Mount Vernon offense. (Photo by John Fisken)

Andrew Eaton takes a free kick for the Wildcats. (Photo by John Fisken)

Brandon McCracken looks to pass for Oak Harbor in the Mount Vernon match. (Photo by John Fisken)

Mason Rhodes controls the ball for the Wildcats in Friday’s match. (Photo by John Fisken)