Keeper Cassie Babcock and the Coupeville girls soccer team’s defense kept relentless Meridian at bay for three-quarters of the match, but the Trojans punched in two late goals to end the Wolves’ season.

By winning the play-in game in the shadows of a snow-covered Mount Baker in north Bellingham Wednesday, Oct. 27, host Meridian (8-8-1) earned the No. 3 seed in the upcoming tri-district tournament and eliminated Coupeville (4-13).

Lynden Christian defeated Nooksack Valley 5-0 for the No. 1 seed and King’s blanked Friday Harbor 7-0 for the No. 2 seed in the other loser-out, District 1 play-in matches.

The Trojans controlled the ball most of the match against Coupeville but couldn’t convert until the 71st minute when a shot bounced off Babcock and landed at the feet of Randi Donahue who tapped it into the open net.

Two minutes later, with Coupeville pressing for the equalizer, the Trojans slipped a ball through the back of the Wolves’ defense and Donahue struck again to put the match away.

Coupeville was outshot eight to three in the match, and coach Mike Thornton said they discussed the lack of offense at half time: “We got caught up in playing too much defense.”

Thornton was disappointed his team lost but not in his team’s effort: “We played well enough to win. This year, at least for me, the effort was better. The whole group played tough, played really good soccer.”