Oak Harbor High School’s soccer win over Stanwood Tuesday came with a cost — six players where injured, and the short-handed Wildcats then lost their next two matches.
Perennial power Edmonds-Woodway topped Oak Harbor 3-0 Friday, March 24, at Wildcat Memorial Stadium, then the ‘Cats lost 4-0 at Lynnwood Saturday.
Four Oak Harbor players, including leading scorer JJ Mitchell, missed the two matches and two others played at less than 100 percent, according to coach Jeff Laiblin.
Laiblin refused to use the injuries as an excuse and said it was time for “others to step up.”
The Edmonds-Woodway (2-0, 2-3-1) game was close throughout, Laiblin said.
“We made one bad mistake in the first half and it cost us,” he said. “In the second half we had opportunities to tie the game, but in the end gave up two bad goals in the closing minutes.”
Lynnwood (2-0, 3-2) and Oak Harbor were tied through the first 50 minutes, as the Wildcats failed to take advantage of several scoring opportunities, Laiblin said.
“Unfortunately, the depth and speed of Lynnwood wore us down,” he added.
One positive note, according to Laiblin, was the “good play” of Mason Rhodes and Ethan Snell, promoted from the junior varsity to fill in for the injured players.
“Key for us this week, as we take on two league powers (Shorecrest and Snohomish) that went to state last year, is to avoid mistakes, get the offense to finish and get healthy,” Laiblin said. “We need our players back and those who are not at 100 percent, healthy.”
Oak Harbor (2-2, 2-3-1) hosts Shorecrest (0-2, 1-4-1) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, and travels to Snohomish (1-0, 3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 31.
Nathan Merrill beats Edmonds-Woodway’s Andrew Shin (23) to the ball. (Pboto by John Fisken)
Oak Harbor’s Austin Moncada rejects an Edmonds-Woodway shot Friday. (Pboto by John Fisken)
Kegan Snell uses his chest to take control of the ball Friday. (Pboto by John Fisken)
