Late surge helps Granite Falls topple Coupeville

Two late goals iced the match for Granite Falls in a 3-0 win over the visiting Coupeville High School soccer team Thursday, Sept. 27. The Tigers (4-2, 5-3) scored 15 minutes into the match, and from there the Wolves played Granite Falls evenly for most of the remainder of the match, according to coach Dan d'Almeida.

Two late goals iced the match for Granite Falls in a 3-0 win over the visiting Coupeville High School soccer team Thursday, Sept. 27.

The Tigers (4-2, 5-3) scored 15 minutes into the match, and from there the Wolves played Granite Falls evenly for most of the remainder of the match, according to coach Dan d’Almeida.

He said, “The ball was in their defensive third for a decent portion of the first half and we were really battling for 50/50 balls all over the pitch.”

Granite Falls scored twice in the final minutes in a match that was “closer than it appears,” d’Almeida said.

Coupeville, which has had trouble scoring all season, had several opportunities but couldn’t connect.

The best chance came when Makana Stone, who played striker the entire match, timed her run well on a through ball by Amanda d’Almeida for a breakaway that was denied by the Tiger keeper.

Coach d’Almeida said, “We had a few other chances, and they had some quality looks as well but our defense, fortunate bounces, and goalie kept the ball out.”

He added, “Best overall defensive effort of the season and some potent counterattack much like we have been running in practice.”

Goalie McKayla Bailey collected seven saves and Ivy Luvera, d’Almeida said, had “a fantastic, leaping clearing header that kept it 1-0 deep into the second half” off a Tiger corner kick.

Coupeville (0-6, 0-8) played King’s (5-1, 7-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Mickey Clark Field.

 

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