Meridian’s onslaught of shots finally paid off in two second-half goals as the Trojans defeated Coupeville 2-0 Wednesday, Oct. 26, at Mickey Clark Field and eliminated the Wolves from district play.
Meridian (9-8) dominated the match and fired 32 shots at Wolf goalkeeper Grace LaPoint, finally looping one over her head from 20 yards out in the 55th minute.
The Trojans tacked on a second score on a breakaway with 7:35 left in the match.
LaPoint finished with 17 saves.
Coupeville failed to amount an offensive attack and produced only two soft shots, one each half, in the match.
The Wolves rarely moved across midfield and had their best chances to get the ball deep off seven penalty kicks from midfield.
The lack of offense hurt Coupeville throughout 2011. After scoring four goals in its season opening win over Concrete, it scored only two goals while going winless in 14 league matches.
Coach Mike Thornton said, “The defensive side looked good. The girls really worked hard and were really focused in practice this week. For me, they looked nervous the first half.”
He added, “We are a young team and will only move forward.”
The Wolves will lose only three to graduation: LaPoint, Cassidi Rosenkrance and Amanda Montana.