Playing shorthanded is taking its toll on the Oak Harbor High School soccer team as the Wildcats fell 8-0 to visiting Shorewood Thursday, Oct. 4.

Injuries and illness have plagued the Wildcats all year, forcing a handful of players to log heavy minutes, according to coach Jeff Laiblin.

The players are “physically and mentally tired,” Laiblin said, and with that comes mistakes.

After having to tackle top-ranked Meadowdale Tuesday, the Wildcats were spent in the matchup with a physical and deep Shorewood (4-3-3) team.

“Our heart and wanting to win were there,” Laiblin said, but the Wildcats were playing with an empty tank.

Oak Harbor (0-7, 0-8-1) faces Mountlake Terrace (2-5, 3-6-1) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Wildcat Memorial Stadium.