Coupeville wins, Oak Harbor ties as local teams begin season / Soccer

By Jim Waller • March 12, 2018 1:30 am

Coupeville High School collected a win and Oak Harbor battled to a tie as the two local prep teams began their 2018 soccer seasons Saturday, March 10.

The Wolves defeated Olympic 4-1 at Mickey Clark Field, while the Wildcats fought to a 0-0 draw with visiting Stanwood.

Coupeville jumps into Olympic League play when it goes to Chimacum at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. Oak Harbor plays another non-league match, facing Jackson at Everett Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Coupeville 4, Olympic 1

“We brought a good intensity to the game,” Coupeville coach Kyle Nelson said. “Makes for a great start to the season.”

Cousins Derek Leyva and Adam Leyva Elenes had their hands (or, better yet, their feet) all over this one.

The Wolves opened the scoring when Leyva Elenes scored on what Nelson called a “great cross” from Leyva.

After Olympic tied the match, a “nice cross” from Leyva Elenes led to a header by James Wood just before halftime.

The Wolves dominated the second half.

Leyva scored on a penalty kick, then he added the final goal on a long lass from Ethan Spark.

Oak Harbor 0, Stanwood 0

“Overall, it was a pretty good performance,” Oak Harbor coach Jeff Laiblin said. “There were moments when we played really well, then there were moments when we didn’t.”

Most of the Wildcats’ struggles came in the offensive third, according to Laiblin.

“We had opportunities but didn’t convert,” he said. “In the final 10 minutes, Stanwood’s keeper made several good saves, we hit the post and just missed over the crossbar two times.

“As we move forward, we will be looking for consistency and a high level of intensity all game.”

Laiblin said the top performances came from Kanoa King on the back line and Max Brighton in the goal with several nice saves.