La Conner girls’ soccer team tripped up at Friday Harbor

The chemistry is there, but a young La Conner High girls’ soccer team still came up on the short end of the equation in a key NW2B match with Friday Harbor Sept. 22.

The hosts fell 7-1 to the Lady Wolverines, averting a shutout thanks to a goal by senior captain Delaney Cobbs, her second of the campaign thus far.

Cobbs and Baylee Smith had found the net when La Conner was edged 4-2 in its Sept. 16 season opener at Coupeville.

But La Conner had trouble keeping the score close in its home debut opposite Friday Harbor (1-1 in league, 1-3 overall) last Wednesday.

“We struggled to overcome some adversity and certainly didn’t come out with the result we wanted,” La Conner head coach Christian Warman said afterward. “The energy and the team chemistry are there. They’re just working out the kinks and figuring out the proper ways of focusing that energy.”

Warman remains upbeat about his club.

“I’m confident this squad is going to continue to build and learn from their mistakes,” he told the Weekly News.

The play of Cobbs was one of several bright spots for La Conner, said Warman.

He said left wing Emily Smith and defender Reagan Lee turned in solid performances.

“Shoutouts to a couple inspirational performances from Emily Lee who helped create some great plays on the offensive side of the ball and has been developing phenomenally as a player and leader on the field,” said Warman.

“As well as Reagan,” he added, “who stepped up big on the defensive side of the ball, making some huge plays. She set the tone we’re going for and really showed her ability to be a game changer.

“I couldn’t be prouder of those two,” said Warman, “for stepping up and playing big.”

Warman said he is guiding a roster long on potential but short on depth.

“Although we have an experienced core of upperclassmen,” he said, “we also have an incredibly small squad with inexperienced youngsters in key roles, with limited to no subs.”

La Conner (0-2) resumed conference action late Tuesday at home opposite Mount Vernon Christian, always a big conference test, stressed Warman.

The Lady Braves next entertain Coupeville in a rematch tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 p.m, La Conner’s third straight Whittaker Field appearance.