Wildcats play top-ranked Everett tough in soccer

Going into its match against top-ranked Everett, Oak Harbor girls’ soccer team faced a game that had disaster written all over it.

However, the Wildcats didn’t back down and battled the Seagulls tough until a flurry of late goals secured the 5-0 win for Everett at Wildcat Memorial Stadium Tuesday.

Undefeated Everett (4-0) is the defending state 3A champions and is currently ranked No. 1 in the state polls. Oak Harbor entered the match winless. To be in the match, the Wildcats needed to play their best game of the season. And they did just that, according to coach Jeff Laiblin.

He added, “We played a solid match, getting our best and most offensive opportunities of the season. At the same time we played a great game defensively. We need to work on the offensive side of our new formation, but we take from today’s game a great step in the right direction.”

The Seagulls held a slim 1-0 lead at halftime, then didn’t score their second goal until the 67th minute.

The game wasn’t without controversy. There was some dispute on whether Everett was offsides on two goals; Everett scored another goal after a collision with Wildcat keeper Maggie Gorman, and Oak Harbor wasn’t awarded a goal it thought it had when the official ruled it didn’t cross the line.

In regard to the match, Laiblin said, “Nothing should be taken away from the fact that they (Everett) are a great team. They are worthy of their ranking.”