S. Whidbey kicks Blaine

They’ve got scoring. They’ve got defense. And, most important, they at least have a .500 record.

Disassembling Blaine at Waterman Field 3-1 Wednesday, much as Granite Falls did to them two nights earlier on the road, the Falcon boys soccer team used a balanced scoring attack to send the Borderites away unsatisfied.

The game, which kept the ball almost exclusively at midfield or in Blaine’s defensive zone for all but about 10 minutes before the final whistle, was an uneven battle in which the Falcons were able to do what they do best — score goals by committee.

Continuing a theme set in Saturday’s 3-0 home victory over Lynden Christian, the Falcons used pass plays and rebounds to beat the Borderites. They started early, when junior striker Connor Adams chipped one over the Blaine goalkeeper off a Kevin Dunigan assisting past in the eighth minute. Then, at 30 minutes, Josh Helpenstell and Spencer Buckman delivered another 1-2 punch when Buckman picked up his teammate’s pass to slide another goal through in the near corner of the Blaine net.

Well in control, the Falcons got some insurance in the 45th minute when sophomore Kypher Koska lofted a 30-yard kick over Blaine’s out -of-position keeper into an open net. It was the same shot he had tried and missed by feet in the first half.

“He took a heck of a shot,” said Falcon coach Mark Helpenstell.

On defense, the Falcons played a scrappy game, intimidating the Borderites with physical play and ball control. The only Blaine score came in the 65th minute, when a Blaine striker got one past South Whidbey goalkeeper Devin Thompson at the near post.

With the win, the Falcons move to 2-2 overall. Losses this season came against Sultan March 20 and Monday to Granite Falls, 3-1.

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