No donut on the scoreboard, but…. / Soccer

By Jim Waller • March 28, 2019 1:30 am

It cost coach Emerson Robbins two dozen donuts, but it was worth it, especially since the Falcons were missing six starters.

Putting its depth on display, the South Whidbey High School soccer team won 7-1 at Sultan Wednesday, March 27.

Robbins provides a dozen donuts for a goal scored off a header, and the Falcons hit two pastry-producing shots in the game.

“I was a bit nervous going into the game,” Robbins said. “We had to borrow three players from the JV team in order to have enough players for the game.

“I don’t think I’ve ever coached a game in the 35-plus years I’ve coached where I was missing so many starters. However, our guys all came through with flying colors and the JV players did an amazing job filling in.”

Another “first” for Robbins in his long career was the effort of Michael Lux, who scored four times.

“Michael Lux put a clinic on last night,” Robbins said. “It was probably the best game I’ve seen any striker play since I’ve been coaching high school. No exaggeration.”

Lux scored the first three goals, the initial tally on an assist from call-up player Gabe Ruiz. The second score was a header and “highlight film goal” off a “beautiful cross” by Thomas Simms.

Simms hit “a magnificent shot” to get the Falcons’ fourth goal.

Aidan Donnelly then scored off a long cross by Cormac Workman to make it 5-0 at halftime.

Sultan scored the first goal of the second half off a rebound from a nice save by back-up keeper Taylor Daniels on a long free kick.

South Whidbey regained the momentum when Lux fired a bullet from 25 yards for his fourth goal.

The final score came when Workman’s long throw-in was headed in by freshman JV player Erik Haugen.

Robbins praised the play of defenders, Aidan O’Brien, Sequoia Durham, Simms, Workman and JV call-up Matt Simms.

“All in all, our guys rose to the challenge and played a great game,” Robbins said. “It just showed not only the depth of our team, but the boys hearts and uber-determination.”

South Whidbey (2-0, 5-1) hosts Coupeville (2-1, 4-3) at 6 p.m. Friday, March 29.