Two defensive miscues in the first half bit the Oak Harbor High School soccer team in a 3-0 loss to Marysville Getchell Tuesday, Sept. 18, at Wildcat Memorial Stadium.

At the beginning and end of the first half, the Chargers stripped the ball from Oak Harbor defenders who turned to the middle and converted the Wildcat mistakes into goals.

The third Marysville Getchell (1-2, 2-2-1) goal came in the second half when Oak Harbor “continued to push forward late,” coach Jeff Laiblin said. “We spread ourselves too thin and got beat for the third goal on a quick counter attack with minutes left.”

The Wildcats picked up their play in the second half, Laiblin said, and “controlled more of the flow of the game.” Two strong saves by the Charger keeper kept Oak Harbor from cutting into the lead.

Laiblin said, “The girls played really well, especially in the second half. We are beginning to get stronger, which is important because our bench is still thin due to injuries. It seems like new players step up every game to have a great matches. Today it was Chelsea Atkinson in defense and Megan Duhrkopf in the midfield.”

The Wildcats (0-2, 1-3-1) host state-ranked Everett (2-0, 5-1) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20.