It’s a difficult proposition to win a soccer game when you are able to get only one shot on goal.

In Tuesday’s game against Archbishop Murphy, Coupeville’s offense was unable to mount an attack, so the defense took things over.

Coupeville goalkeeper Ashley Manker was peppered with 12 shots in the first half and 14 in the second, several from point-blank range, but the freshman stepped up big time and allowed just four balls to elude her.

The 4-0 loss to the Wildcats keeps the Wolves winless for the season at 0-11 in Cascade League games and 0-13 overall.

However, Coupeville is one of only two Class 1A teams in the league and will receive an automatic berth in to the district playoffs beginning Oct. 27.

“They played great defense today,” coach Kim Sherman said. “We talked about some things at half time and they did it. We will be using the things we learned and did in practice to get ready for districts.”

Andrea Gaitan scored the first goal for Archbishop Murphy at the 35:02 mark of the first half and a goal by Sam Pettinger off an assist from Maddie Huggins made the score 2-0 at the break.

“The score the last time we played them was 11-0 but this time it was 4-0, so that shows a lot of improvement,” sophomore midfielder Alexia Hemphill said. “We were a little more planned out today on what we wanted to do.”

In the second half, Emma Nelson made the score 3-0 with a goal at the 17:40 mark and Huggins put in a header late in the game for

the Wildcats’ final score.

“We did drills on pressuring yesterday in practice and we really put it out on the field today,” said junior defender Kim Weatherford. “We normally think about it, but we never quite go through with it.”

“She was amazing,” Sherman said, praising Manker’s work in goal.

“I think we are going to have a good chance at district and we are looking forward to playing in them,” Sherman said. “We are not necessarily worried about winning games right now, we just want to work on some things and get ready for the district.”

Coupeville plays its final regular season home game Tuesday hosting Lakewood for senior night, and will host Concrete at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 in the opening district playoff game.