Although the South Whidbey High School soccer team lost 1-0 at Oak Harbor Saturday, the Falcons didn’t come away from the match empty handed.
“All five of our freshmen gained considerable experience playing extended minutes against a team with older and more experienced players,” coach Terry Swanson said. “We are using these important non-conference games to prepare our younger players to compete against the most competitive conference teams.
“We will need all of their contributions to be successful this season and make the playoffs.”
Swanson noted that senior Maddy Drye has been instrumental in helping freshmen centerbacks Ashton Helseth and Sydney Ollis get up to speed.
“Overall our players have a great attitude and remain focused on improving individually and as a team,” Swanson said. “They understand the concept of delayed gratification and are using each game, win or lose, as a learning experience to become stronger, faster and more skilled players.
“They are fun group players to coach and have great chemistry with another.”
Oak Harbor’s goal came with just under 26 minutes left in the match. It was just the third goal surrendered by the Falcons this season and the first in transition.
The 3A Wildcats (2-3) controlled possession throughout the match.
“As a team we still need to close quicker in the offensive half of the field and not allow players to turn or make the second pass out of pressure,” Swanson said. “Our accuracy in passing needs to improve as well, but we are making progress every game. Our long-term challenge as a team is to improve on the offensive side of the ball. We need to increase our scoring opportunities in games.”
After scoring 10 goals in its first two matches, both wins, South Whidbey has tallied only one in the past two, both losses.
Injuries to two key players, Alison Papritz and Karyna Hezel, have slowed the Falcon attack, according to Swanson.
Hezel should be back for the next match, a league game at Sultan (0-2, 2-3) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. Papritz soon after.
Maddy Drye advances the ball with a header. (Photo by John Fisken)
Mallory Drye tosses the ball back into play. (Photo by John Fisken)
South Whidbey’s Mikenna Wicher shields the ball from Oak Harbor’s Alexandra Palmer. (Photo by John Fisken)
