Striken soccer falls twice to 4-6

Two losses, one on the road and one at home, have one of the most talented soccer teams in the North Cascades Conference heading unexpectedly toward the bottom of the standings.

On Tuesday, the South Whidbey High School boys soccer team lost a 2-1 shocker to Lynden Christian, a team they had beaten by the same score on March 27. Then, on their home turf at Waterman Field Thursday, the Falcons gave up three goals to Granite Falls in the opening 10 minutes, giving away a 4-2 game they otherwise controlled.

“The first 10 minutes were just ugly,” said Falcon coach Mark Helpenstell.

But, even as his team fell into the bottom half of the NCC standings, Helpenstell was hopeful after the two losses. He said Thursday’s game was a confidence builder in some ways. Junior Kevin Dunigan scored his first goal of the season in the game; this after being one of the team’s top producers last season.

Also scoring was junior Josh Helpenstell, who slammed a pass from Dunigan home in the 12 minute of the game. Dunigan’s goal came in the 28th minute off a Roy Ishii assist to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of Granite Falls.

Against the Lyncs Tuesday, South Whidbey was only able to produce one goal as the team got unlucky at its own goal. The Lyncs made their scores on a screened shot against sophomore Falcon keeper Alex McGlenn in the first half; and on a penalty shot that came after sophomore keeper Devin Thompson ran down a Lync player while going for the ball.

Scoring for South Whidbey was Josh Helpenstell, who put the ball away on a solo effort.

The Falcons next play at home on April 30, against Mount Baker.

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