The Coupeville High School soccer team lost the match and a key player when Meridian slipped by the Wolves 3-1 Saturday, Sept. 7, at Mickey Clark Field in the first contest of the season.

Genna Wright, the leading returning scorer on the club, sprained a knee and will be out one to three weeks. The Wolves were tied 1-1 with Meridian when Wright was injured. From that point, Coupeville’s offense wasn’t as potent but the Wolves hung with the perennially tough Trojans until late in the match.

Coupeville scored first when Wright assisted on a goal by Avalon Renninger about a third of the way into the first half.

Meridian then followed with two goals, to go up 2-1 at halftime. The Trojans added a goal late in the match to secure the win.

“It’s a good place to start,” coach Kyle Nelson said. “We played a competitive game, and it’s a huge step forward for us, playing against a really good team and coming pretty close to playing them on an even level.”

Coupeville (0-1) now plays three consecutive road games, starting at Friday Harbor (0-0) at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12.

Natalie Hollrigel, left, battles for possession. (Photo by John Fisken)

Mallory Kortuem, left, mixes it up with a Meridian player. (Photo by John Fisken)

Carolyn Lhamon, right, takes control of the ball. (Photo by John Fisken)

Sophia Martin advances the ball for Coupeville. (Photo by John Fisken)

Avalon Renninger, right, works the ball toward the goal. (Photo by John Fisken)

Audrianna Shaw chases down the ball. (Photo by John Fisken)

Eryn Wood, right, fights off a Meridian defender. (Photo by John Fisken)

Genna Wright, right, heads the ball for the Wolves. (Photo by John Fisken)

Tia Wurzrainer passes the ball for Coupeville. (Photo by John Fisken)