Never has a week been more important for the Coupeville boys soccer team.
On the verge of making the playoffs in the first year of having a program, the Wolves needed to at least split this week’s games to keep post-season hope alive.
They got the job done in gritty fashion, beating Northwest A/B opponent La Conner 2-1 in a sudden-death shoot-out two days after falling to Orcas Island.
Tied 1-1 through two double overtimes, the Wolves and Braves went to a penalty kick shoot-out where each team received five shots on goal.
Coupeville players Mike Duke, Matt Scott, Jon Chittim and Jack Armstrong nailed four of five shots in for the win.
“If we would have lost we would have been out of the race,” Coupeville coach Melissa Martenak said.
Wolfpack goalkeeper Will Butela stopped two La Conner penalty shots to help seal the victory.
Coupeville took the initial lead in the 20th minute on a corner-kick goal by Chittim.
La Conner rallied to tie the contest with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
Orcas Island 4, Coupeville 2
Despite out-shooting third-place Orcas Island 17-15 on Tuesday, Coupeville was unable to execute its attempts.
Among the abundance of shots CHS took, only six required a save by the Vikings.
“We couldn’t finish it,” Martenak said. “It’s just a thing that happens over time — being able to feel confident and finish the ball where the goalkeeper is not.”
Orcas on the other hand, took advantage of its opportunities. The Vikings went up 1-0 in the 11th minute after forward Andon Hiltner took a cross in front of Coupeville goalkeeper Will Butela. A sliding Butela was unable to reach the ball before Hiltner hooked a shot around him into the net.
Orcas continued its offensive onslaught, scoring three more goals in just 13 minutes, giving them a 4-0 halftime advantage.
The Wolves came out a more aggressive team in the second half, but still had trouble finding the back of the net.
Duke broke the shutout in the 53rd minute, nailing a shot in from 20 yards out.
The Wolves added their second goal with under a minute remaining in the game when Chittim scored on a corner kick from Duke.
Coupeville, now 7-6, is tied with Shoreline Christian for the fourth and final playoff berth.
The Wolves end the regular season this week with a home game at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26 against Grace Academy and a road game on Thursday, Oct. 28 against undefeated Friday Harbor.
