The Coupeville High School soccer team is exploring new territory each time it takes the field.
Since its beginning five years ago Wolf Pack victories have been few and far between, but the fans have remained loyal and their patience is being rewarded in 2009.
Things are different this season and under the direction third-year coach Paul Mendes, Coupeville has become a team that demands recognition from opponents in the Cascade Conference.
On Saturday the Wolves recorded their second-straight shutout dominating Lakewood 4-0, to lift their season record to 3-2 in league games and 5-2 overall.
In previous years, the Wolves had never won more than one league game in a season.
“It’s amazing, we played two of the top tier teams in the league and have come away with shutout victories,” Mendes said. “We’re starting to hit a really good stride here and our confidence is building with every game.”
Jordan Lamb got things started for Coupeville 21 minutes into the first half, scoring off an indirect kick. The junior midfielder worked the ball around in front of the net and beat Lakewood goal keeper James Hoback with a high shot that sailed right over his head and into the center of the net.
“It’s been pretty nice,” Lamb said. “The team has been playing real well, working together, and moving and passing the ball a lot. The offense is getting open spaces and shooting.”
Junior Spencer Tack made the score 2-0, looping a shot over Hoback’s head into the upper right corner of the net at the 24-minute mark.
Six minutes after the halftime break, senior Geoff Wacker put the third goal of the game in the net on a pretty header off a corner kick for a 3-0 lead.
Then, with time winding down, sophomore Mitch Stevenson beat Hobeck with the fourth goal of the game with just seven minutes remaining.
“It’s been really exciting, we’re making history,” Mendes said. “We’ve already got the most wins in a season and we’re beating teams we haven’t beaten before.”
Mendes said when the team plays well, they just seem to keep coming and the players are looking forward to each game.
“Our passing and possession of the ball has been much better this year,” he said. “We just have to keep on working hard.”
Coupeville’s next home game is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, against King’s High School.
