Coupeville played shorthanded against one of the state’s best 1A teams Saturday, Oct. 18; regardless, coach Troy Cowan was impressed with his team’s effort in a 5-0 loss at first-place Klahowya.

The Wolves were missing four players (Jennifer Spark, knee injury; Jacki Ginnings, concussion; Marissa Etzell, flu; and Kirstin Pelroy, work) and Cowan was forced to change his lineup.

In doing so, he said he found some “diamonds in the rough.”

Mia Littlejohn moved from the front to defense and “filled in more than adequately,” Cowan said. “She played a very intelligent, disciplined match.”

Cowan found Ivy Luvera’s play “inspirational,” saying she “really figured out her new spot and is playing well.”

Christine Fields, McKenzie Meyer and Ana Luvera also had strong defensive games for the Wolves, according to Cowan.

The Eagles (2-0, 10-1) scored four goals in the first half, then Coupeville made some halftime adjustments that slowed the Klahowya attack, Cowan said.

The Eagles, ranked eighth in the 1A state poll, feature three players with D1 college scholarship offers.

Coupeville (1-1, 4-4) finishes the first round of Olympic League play when it hosts Port Townsend (0-2, 1-9) at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21.