The win was offensive – in a good way.

After losing 2-1 in an Oct. 9 shootout at South Whidbey, the Coupeville soccer team exploded for three goals and snared its first win of the season 3-1 last Thursday over Sultan.

While the Wolves’ defense excelled lately and kept it in matches, the offense lagged. Not Thursday.

After scoring only one goal in the previous six matches, Coupeville collected goals from Makana Stone, Madison Tisa-McPhee and Haley Marx against Sultan (1-10, 2-11).

Coach Dan d’Almeida said the defense wasn’t at its best, but its anchor, first-year keeper MaKayla Bailey, was rock-solid.

“She was a warrior,” he said. “She is not a rookie any more.”

Bailey had 14 saves, including stopping several rocket shots and attempts from point-blank range.

Against South Whidbey, Coupeville controlled the match but couldn’t corral the victory. Twenty minutes in, Stone scored off a corner kick from Jen Sparks. It would be the only time the Wolves would connect although it had several excellent chances to score.

In the shootout, Amanda d’Almeida and Marx hit their shots, but the next three missed. South Whidbey (4-6, 4-7-1) countered by hitting its first three and held on to win.

Coupeville (1-10, 1-12) entertains Granite Falls (6-5, 7-6) for Senior Night at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the final home match.