Oak Harbor gives top team a scare

Two more losses drop Cats to 0-11-1 in league competition

The season continued to go down a rough path for the Oak Harbor girls soccer team on Thursday night.

The Wildcats dropped their 11th straight game, 4-0, at Lake Stevens, remaining winless in 2004.

“It is rough when you don’t have a win this late in the season, but we keep working on attitude every day in practice and they know that they’re improving,” head coach Gretchen Hanson said.

The Vikings scored all four goals from different players and were led by Alyssa Isaman, who had a goal and an assist.

Monroe 1, Oak Harbor 0

Want proof one can’t measure a team’s heart by its record?

Look no further than the performance of Oak Harbor on Tuesday night.

Facing the top team in the WesCo North, Monroe (11-2), the last-place Wildcats (0-11-1) battled toe-to-toe, losing a close 1-0 contest.

“This was the number one team in the league and they played them to one nil — they had a great game,” Hanson said.

Oak Harbor, a team that has only scored three goals in 12 games, had opportunities to change its offensive woes on Tuesday.

In the 33rd minute, junior forward Gia Dimatteo, nailed a shot to the left post from 10 yards just past the out-stretched arms of Monroe goalkeeper Kara Rasmussen. Thinking the shot went in, a roar erupted along the sideline from the Oak Harbor fans. The ball, however, turned out to be just outside the post.

The Wildcats had a similar situation in the 69th minute, when junior Ashley Meaux drilled a shot from 20 yards out that was over the goalkeeper’s head, but hit off the top cross bar.

“I’m not eating my Lucky Charms or something,” Hanson said.

Oak Harbor was out-shot 26-8 on Tuesday, but Hanson liked what she saw from her offense, especially in the second half.

“We’re not getting a lot of shot attempts, but the ones we are getting tend to be quality,” she said.

Key to the Wildcats staying in Tuesday’s performance was the play of the defense and goalkeeper Sheena Paddock.

Under pressure most of the game, the senior goalie was virtually flawless with 17 saves.

“Sheena played out of her head — amazing,” Hanson said.

Monroe received its only goal in the 28th minute when midfielder Brittany Chase hit the ball in the back of the net via her shoulder on a corner kick from teammate Jenna Herman.

The Wildcat defense also played a solid game, in particular junior Meghan Newsome, who contained Bearcat star forward Chelsea Bumbaugh.

“She’s all about the skills and Meghan just shot her down, so that was great to watch,” Hanson said.

Oak Harbor plays its next game at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19 at home against Arlington (1-10-1). The only win for the Eagles came in a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats on Sept. 21.