The young Oak Harbor High School boys soccer team is learning through on-the-job training.

Not only are the Wildcats young, but many of their players in addition to the freshmen are inexperienced. Mix in the fact that injuries, ineligible athletes and other reasons have robbed the team of some of its strongest players, and the result is a tough season.

The past week the Wildcats dropped two more matches, losing 3-0 at Snohomish Saturday, March 27, and 8-0 to visiting Cascade Monday, March 29.

Heading into the Snohomish match, Oak Harbor had been outscored 17-0 in the previous two contests and things looked bleak having to face the Panthers, who were undefeated at the time, in first place in the Wesco North and the preseason favorite to take the league title.

The Wildcats held their own and played a “strong” match according to coach Brian Thompson.

Against Cascade, Greg Wolfe, an all-league candidate, was added to the list of injured players along with Marcos Anjos, who was honorable mention all-Wesco last season. A third senior starter, Clay Mosolino was on vacation.

Thompson was pleased with his young replacements. He said freshmen Caleb Gatica and Matt Jensen “really stepped it up.” He also praised the play of senior Jake Sandefur who elevated his game in the absence of the injured players.

Oak Harbor couldn’t mount any offense against the Bruins (2-4) in spite of a strong effort by playmaker Ryan Fakkema. Cascade took 17 shots before the ‘Cats launched their first. The Bruins finished with a 38-6 advantage.

Oak Harbor (0-6) next takes on Arlington at Wildcat Memorial Stadium Tuesday, April 6, at 7:30 p.m.