The Friday Harbor Wolverines’ soccer season came to an end with playoff losses to Meridian and Lynden Christian, Oct. 30 at Whatcom Community College.
Facing Meridian, the Wolverines fell behind early (0-2 at the half) and were unable to recover.
Friday Harbor played a fine second half, as Lola Elford scored on a cross from Elle Guard. The score remained 1-3 until the last few moments when, with many substitutions getting their first taste of post-season action, Meridian scored two afterthought goals.
Final: Meridian 5, Friday Harbor 1.
The Wolverines then faced Lynden Christian, who had beaten them 6-2 and 7-2 in previous encounters.
The Lyncs scored early, taking a 4-0 first-half lead. Friday Harbor’s Mandy Turnbull scored from Guard late in the session to make it 1-4.
The second half belonged to Friday Harbor, led by the extraordinary efforts of Whitney Porter and Alex MacDonald, both fighting off injury and pain. Hannah Snow’s play in goal drew compliments from the opposing coach and the officials.
There were some close shots and then a lovely finish by Clara Brand from Porter to bring it to 2-4. However, there was just not quite enough magic to draw them level and the match and season ended with the score Lynden Christian 4, Friday Harbor 2.
“The 2008 campaign ends with a number of milestones: first league championship, first time playing in November, first progression in post-season play,” Coach Mark Fishaut said.
“Porter has established a new standard for excellence with 26 goals for the year — and 71 in four years — while Snow’s goals against in league were 0.8 per game. All are excited by the prospect of learning more and doing more in 2009. Of greater importance is the closeness of the players to one another and their mutual respect.”
Among the team’s other accomplishments: Their camp generated $800 in support of Purple and Gold, and several hundred dollars were raised in support of breast cancer awareness.
Oct. 29
Friday Harbor 4
Coupeville 2
Whitney Porter scored her 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th goals of the season to help lead the Wolverines to a first-round soccer district playoff win Oct. 29 against Coupeville.
The Wolverines, who finished the regular season 9-1 league, 10-5 overall, defeated Coupeville 4-2.
After yielding Coupeville an early penalty kick on a phantom call to trail 0-1 at 15 minutes, things turned Friday Harbor’s way. Porter scored a hat trick with goals at 27, 34, 41 minutes, all assisted by Clara Brand, and it was 3-1 at the interval.
Ten minutes into the second half, Porter scored her fourth goal, again off a Brand delivery. Coupeville managed only one more goal before the game’s end.
