By KEVIN ENDEJAN

Sports editor

Take a look at quality shot opportunities and Coupeville was well ahead of undefeated Friday Harbor.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, it’s not how many quality shots are taken, but how many go in that determine the outcome of the game.

Coupeville faced that dilemma on Thursday afternoon as Friday Harbor, which had only one open shot on goal, capitalized on its lone opportunity to snag a 1-0 Northwest A/B victory.

“It was an 80-minute game — 79 minutes we’re on and that one minute we just had a mental lapse,” CHS coach Melissa Martenak said.

With less than five minutes remaining in the game Friday Harbor midfielder Felipe Lopez found Mario Nunez running the left wing. He connected with Nunez on a perfect pass behind the defense and the forward slid the ball into the right corner past goalkeeper Will Butela.

“The other team had the speed over the top and they got us,” Martenak said.

The shot was the only open look the Wolverines had all game.

Coupeville, however, had several chances that just missed.

The Wolves took 15 shots for the contest, five of which were within just inches of going in the back of the net.

“It’s just trying to get those precise, clear shots,” Martenak said. “We’ve gotten so much better though.

The kids are really wanting this and it shows.”

Friday Harbor got off 17 shots, but most were from a distance or directly at Butela.

Martenak credited the lack of good shots to the strong play of her defensive backfield.

“The defensive four are doing a fabulous job…they’re not biting on the ball and they’re not overcommitting,” she said.

Coupeville dropped to 2-2 in league and 5-4 overall with the loss. Friday Harbor, which finished third in state last year and returned its entire roster, improved to 4-0 in league and 6-0 overall.

Even with the loss Martenak was happy when asked about her team’s performance.

“A second year program being able to hang with these guys, absolutely,” she said.

Coupeville plays its next game at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11 at home against Shoreline Christian.