As can be expected in a rivalry match, Coupeville’s 4-2 loss in soccer at South Whidbey Thursday, Sept. 10, produced extra drama.

Wolves’ coach Troy Cowan said he was “not happy” about the outcome.

South Whidbey scored two “unearned” goals, Cowan said, and that turned out to be the difference.

The Falcons scored once on a penalty kick on a “questionable call,” Cowan said, and then Coupeville hurt its own cause by scoring an own goal on an attempted block.

“South Whidbey did get two goals that they did earn, and they were great goals,” Cowan said. “They really moved the ball around.”

The Wolves trailed 3-0 at halftime, and Cowan said he reminded his team to focus on what it could control.

He also made three adjustments: starting defender Jennifer Spark for the first time after coming off an injury; moving Sage Renninger to the middle to control the ball and send quality through balls; and putting Kalia Littlejohn at striker.

Spark got things going by sending a free kick to Littlejohn, who scored to cut the lead to 3-1.

Spark later passed into the box where Renninger picked up the loose ball and passed to Lindsey Roberts at the top of the 18 for a score, trimming the gap to one.

Littlejohn dominated play much of the second half until she was hurt and had to leave the contest. No foul was called, Cowan said.

For the final six minutes, Cowan moved his troops forward to try to get the equalizer, but the Wolves couldn’t score.

South Whidbey took advantage of the gamble and tallied in the final minute.

Coupeville (0-1-1) hosts Forks at noon Saturday, Sept. 12.

(Lindsey Roberts takes a free kick for the Wolves. Photo by John Fisken.)