Journal Staff
Girls Soccer
Coach Bryan Leighton reported on last weeks games:
Sept. 28
The Friday Harbor Wolverines took on the Lopez Lobos.
In a dominant non-conference performance, Friday Harbor earned their second consecutive victory, defeating Lopez High School at home, 4-0. After a scoreless first half, the Wolverines came alive in the second, fueled by a standout performance from freshman forward Lyla Ovenell, who notched a hat trick.
Senior defensive midfielder Nylah Pieples also played a pivotal role in the attack, delivering a precise pass up the middle to junior striker Charley Lawrence-Sampson, who netted her second goal of the season, securing the 4-0 lead. Alongside Ovenell and Lawrence-Sampson, the trio of young outside forwards—freshman Wren ShearerKing, sophomore Meadow Carlson, and freshman Hazel Leighton—continue to show growth and promise, as reflected in the increase of goal-scoring opportunities.
On the defensive side, senior center back Luca Pignatiello and junior Lily Taylor anchored a back line that continues to frustrate opposing offenses, earning their third clean sheet of the season. Junior goalkeeper Georgia VanderYacht also made solid saves to help preserve the shutout.
Friday Harbor will look to keep their momentum going in their next match on October 1st, when they face conference rivals La Conner High School (4-1).
Oct. 1
The Friday Harbor Wolverines played agianst La Conner.
Friday Harbor extended their winning streak to three, defeating conference rival La Conner 4-1. The Wolverines’ attack continues to blossom, led by junior striker Charley Lawrence-Sampson, who proved unstoppable, netting all four goals. Known for her relentless and physical play, Lawrence-Sampson showcased her versatility by scoring from a variety of angles in front of the home crowd.
Center midfielders Norah Leighton and Atziry Orozco excelled in distributing the ball, with Leighton providing a key assist for one of Lawrence-Sampson’s goals. Other key assists came from senior midfielder Georgia Keune and freshman forward Lyla Ovenell, who recorded her third assist of the season.
Defensively, the Wolverines were rock solid, conceding only one goal. The starting back four—seniors Luca Pignatiello and Morgan Douglass, junior Lily Taylor, and sophomore Frankie Pignatiello—anchored the defense. Head coach Bryan Leighton praised Frankie Pignatiello as the best player of this young season. Sophomore Nikky Clark Cole also provided strong minutes off the bench, limiting La Conner’s chances and allowing just a few shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Georgia VanderYacht once again delivered a standout performance.
The Lady Wolverines, now 4-3, traveled to face Providence Classical Christian (0-1), a new member of the Northwest 1B/2B league, on Oct. 4. The girls dominated Providence in 5-0 v.ictory
The Friday Harbor girls varsity soccer team traveled to Bothell to face conference rivals Providence on a rainy afternoon. Despite playing through torrential downpours at times, the Wolverines took control from the opening whistle.
The midfield trio of senior Nylah Pieples, junior Norah Leighton, and sophomore Atziry Orozco expertly controlled possession, delivering pinpoint passes and dictating the tempo. Orozco was a standout, scoring two goals (bringing her season total to three) and adding an assist. Leighton’s vision and well timed off-the-ball moments resulted in contributing two assists, bringing her season tally to three as well. Freshman forward Lyla Ovenell continued her impressive season, adding a goal and an assist.
With leading goal scorer Charley Lawrence-Sampson limited by injury, senior Georgia Keune stepped up in a big way. Keune had her strongest game of the season, scoring two goals and notching an assist. Though they didn’t appear on the stat sheet, the wing play of sophomore Meadow Carlson and freshmen Wren ShearerKing and Hazel Leighton was particularly strong, opening up gaps for their teammates to capitalize on.
Senior center back Luca Pignatiello was a commanding presence in defense, allowing Friday Harbor to maintain a high defensive line. Known for her physicality, Pignatiello’s growth in reading the game was evident, as she snuffed out threats before they could develop and kept the Highlanders at bay.
Defensively, Friday Harbor recorded their fourth clean sheet of the season, with the starting back line allowing just two shots on goal. The Wolverines went into halftime up 4-0 and gave ample minutes to their backups in the second half. They shifted focus to maintaining possession and controlled the game until the final whistle, securing a 5-0 win.
Their next game will be at Lopez High, Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer
The boys soccer team had back to back wins against La Conner Setp. 24 and Providence on Sept. 27, but lost against Orcas Oct. 4. The next home game will Oct. 15 at 3:30 when they once again take on Orcas.
Volleyball
The girls volleyball team has been playing hard, but lost their last couple of games. Cheer them on when they will be playing Orcas this Thursday, Oct. 10 at 3 p.m.
Football
The Wolverines football team won agaist South Whidbey Sept. 27, but lost to Coupeville Oct. 4. Cheer them on Friday, Oct. 11 when they take on Granite Falls, at 6;30 p.m at Friday Harbor High.
