The Wolverines’ girls soccer team took on Toledo High Saturday, Sept. 21, and the fans turned out on the last day of summer to cheer them on. It was a tense game.

The backline, anchored by junior captain Norah Leighton, sophomore Frankie Pignatiello, and standout freshman defender Hazel Johnson, was instrumental in shutting down Toledo’s attack. Sophomore Juniper Reynold also contributed key defensive plays, helping maintain the clean sheet. Junior goalkeeper Georgia VanderYacht recorded ten saves to keep Toledo off the scoreboard, coach Bryan Leighton reported.

The game’s lone goal came from junior captain Charley Lawrence-Sampson, who converted an assist from freshman forward Lyla Ovenell, her second assist of the season. Freshman forwards Wren ShearerKing and Hazel Leighton continued to gain valuable experience as the young Wolverines squad fought through adversity.

In the end, Friday Harbor won a hard-fought 1-0 victory over 2B Toledo High School in a home match playing with just one substitute due to lingering illnesses and injuries, the Wolverines delivered what Leighton called a gritty performance.

For a season recap, on Sept. 20 in their first conference match of the season, the Friday Harbor girls’ varsity soccer team took on rivals Mount Vernon Christian. Still grappling with illness across their roster, the Wolverines’ request to postpone the match was denied. Despite being shorthanded and battling injuries, Friday Harbor showed tremendous heart, going into halftime locked in a 0-0 stalemate.

However, the combination of illness and injuries began to take its toll, and MVC broke the deadlock just minutes into the second half. Junior captain Charley Lawrence-Sampson led the charge offensively, creating multiple scoring opportunities, but Friday Harbor couldn’t capitalize. MVC netted a second goal 15 minutes later and added three more in the final 10 minutes to seal the 5-0 result.

Although the scoreline didn’t reflect their effort, Friday Harbor’s first-half performance was commendable under difficult circumstances. They will look to be at full strength when they face MVC again on Oct. 18.

Previously, Sept. 18, the team played their third match of the season, a non-conference clash against 2A Sultan High School. Dealing with a depleted roster due to illness, the Wolverines called up five junior varsity players to fill in for key varsity starters. Despite the adversity, Friday Harbor battled valiantly but was unable to break through Sultan’s defense, ultimately falling 1-0.

Junior goalkeeper Georgia VanderYacht, making her season debut after being sidelined by a knee injury for most of last year, put in an exceptional performance, allowing only one goal. Despite a resilient effort, the Wolverines couldn’t find the equalizer.

The next game will be Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. when they will go up against the Lopez Lobos at Linde Fields.

The Wolverines take the ball down field