South Whidbey boys soccer blasts Granite Falls

The shutouts continued for South Whidbey boys soccer after a 9-0 win over Granite Falls on Friday night.

The shutouts continued for South Whidbey boys soccer after a 9-0 win over Granite Falls on Friday night.

The Falcons scored nine goals for the second time this season and extended their winning streak to four games. South Whidbey has yet to allow a goal on defense, while racking up double digit shots on offense.

Focusing on its outside-in attack, the Falcons found success playing the ball down the sidelines. Once Granite Falls adjusted, South Whidbey followed suit and found room in the middle of the field.

“I tell the guys we can’t be one-dimensional,” said Falcon co-head coach Emerson “Skip” Robbins. “We have to take advantage of what the defense gives us. But we have very strong outside mids, very good strikers, very good attacking mids, so we’re versatile.”

Three Falcons scored two goals each. Falcon senior forward Kai da Rosa got both of his on assists from senior midfielder Andy Zisette. Lucas Fulton, a junior reserve forward, also scored two goals, including one on a cross by Juan Diego Marmolejo. Fulton, in his first season as a full varsity player, has made limited playing time count. On Friday, he played about 20 minutes, said Robbins, and scored a goal on a header.

“That’s Lucas,” Robbins said.

“He has this penchant for knowing where to be, plus he’s pretty good at heading the ball,” he added. “

South Whidbey’s scoring was opened on a goal by junior midfielder Lucas Leiberman on an assist from senior midfielder Jeff Meier. Leiberman scored later in the game on a da Rosa assist.

Meier scored later on a penalty kick. Kameron Donohoe scored on an assist from Fulton. Sophomore Justin Gonzales scored on an assist by junior Jordan Henriot.

After rolling through the first four matches, South Whidbey’s toughest test came this week. The Falcons visited the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats, a 2A state-title contender, on Tuesday after The Record went to press and will host King’s, a fellow 1A Cascade Conference school that also reached the 2014 state tournament, on Friday night.

“I don’t fear them,” Robbins said, adding that he wasn’t aware of South Whidbey boys soccer ever defeating Archbishop Murphy. “We’re capable of beating them.”

“Every team can be beat.”