The Coupeville’s boys soccer team earned a trip to the state tournament with a 2-1 win at Orting Wednesday, May 12, in the bi-district tournament.

The win sets up a rematch with Meridian, which defeated Vashon Island 2-1 Wednesday. Coupeville lost to Meridian 2-0 May 6 in the sub-district. The two teams will meet again Saturday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.

Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s match, both Meridian and Coupeville will advance to the state tournament Tuesday, May 18. Saturday’s game is for seeding purposes. The winner will grab the No. 3 seed and the loser No. 4 out of bi-district.

In the win over Orting, Mendes said his club looked better than ever the first half, particularly its passing. He also shuffled his lineup and it paid dividends.

Mendes started freshman Luke Pelant in Garrett Knoll’s defender spot and moved Knoll to the front line.

Knoll scored the game’s first goal in the 14th minute as he made a nice turn in the goal mouth and drilled in the point.

Orting’s Dillion Utley knotted the match five minutes before half time.

Ben Hayes netted the game winner in the 68th minute off a good feed from assist-machine Spencer Tack. Mendes said Tack “made a nice play” down the right side and then found Hayes, who “hit a good shot.”

Mendes said, “We are excited about our level of play, especially the first half.”