North Whidbey Middle School competed in its first ever interscholastic soccer match Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Oak Harbor, falling 3-0 to an experienced squad from Stanwood.

Down 3-0 at the half, the Cougars rearranged its defense, according to coach Peter Wandera, and blanked the visitors in the second period.

The Player of the Match was defender Naomi Marril, Wandera said.

“We also had excellent goal keeping by Alannah Strickland and Payton Parks,” he added.

The junior varsity teams tied 1-1.

Kylie Hickam tallied for North Whidbey, while Courtney Fortune received Player of the Match honors from Wandera for her “relentlessness in making plays happen.”

North Whidbey goes to Anacortes at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21.