Powered by goals off penalty kicks, the Bellevue Christian soccer team ended Coupeville’s season with a 2-1 win over the Wolves in the district play-in game at Wildcat Memorial Stadium Thursday, May 5.

The Vikings scored the game winner with just over six minutes remaining on a penalty kick from about 20 yards out.

Coupeville scored first. Abraham Leyva Elenes’ shot was blocked, but Zane Bundy drilled the rebound into the net with about seven minutes left in the first half.

Less than two minutes after the break, Bellevue Christian tied the score with a short penalty kick.

The first half was even, but the Vikings controlled the game in the second session. The Coupeville defense, led by keeper Connor McCormick, handled the steady attack, but the Wolves’ offense struggled to get good scoring opportunities over the final 40 minutes.

BC “pressed more in the second half,” Coupeville coach Kyle Nelson said. “I think our kids were a little down after the first PK.”

Bellevue Christian defeated Coupeville 7-4 earlier this spring in a non-league match. The Wolves were missing several starters, including McCormick, in that meeting.

Based upon the first match with the Vikings, Nelson admitted he expected more scoring Thursday.

“But this was a district game,” he said, “and they tend to be more defensive.”

Even though the Wolves lost, Nelson said his team “played a good game,” adding, “I liked the effort.”

As for the season, Nelson said, “It was a good year; we got a few more wins.”

Coupeville finished the season with a 5-9-1 record after winning three matches in 2015.

“We have a lot of talented seniors,” he added, “so next year we will be rebuilding.”

As he walked to jump on the team bus, he said, “We had fun, and that’s the main thing.”

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Coupeville keeper Conner McCormick boots the ball. Photo by John Fisken.