A thrilling finish to the 2019 season also brought to an end the Oak Harbor High School soccer team’s losing streak.

The Wildcats scored in double overtime to defeat host Arlington 3-2 Friday, April 26.

Oak Harbor opened the 2018 season with a tie, then went 30 consecutive matches over two years without a win until clipping the Eagles Friday.

It’s only fitting that senior Nathan Merrill, a stalwart for the Wildcats for four years, tallied the streak-ending, season-ending and high school career-ending goal.

With three minutes left in the second overtime, junior Jaydon Wallace (playing the “best game of his career,” according to coach Jeff Laiblin) sent a “great” through ball to Merrill, who had an “amazing” finish to score the game-winner, Laiblin said.

Less than five minutes into the match, senior Julian Hinkle scored off a volley shot on an assist from freshman Jonathan Tang to give Oak Harbor the lead.

Fifteen minutes later, senior Taiveyon Shaw rifled a through ball to Merrill for another goal to make it 2-0 for the Wildcats.

Arlington scored goals in the final minutes of each half to send the match to overtime.

“If there was ever a group of great individuals that deserved a win, it was these players,” Laiblin said. “I am so proud of them. They never gave me anything less than their best, and tonight proves they were fighters not quitters.”

Laiblin lauded the play of Maxwell Brighton and Jakob Wilson, who split time in goal.

“The back line of Kanoa King, Ethan Snell, Isiah Lumsden and Taiveyon Show were solid all night,” Laiblin added. “Our midfield of Mason Rhodes, Alexander Johnston, Jonathan Pierce, Alberto Hernandez and Diego Aranguir-Plummer controlled most of the game. We also saw great play from subs off the bench, including William Dylander and Brandon McCracken.

“We talked about changing the culture at Oak Harbor, and tonight was a huge step forward. I am proud of the team and the fight they showed tonight.”