The Lady Vikings gave the Wolverines a run for their money on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The last time the Vikes played Friday Harbor (Sept. 28), they lost 6-0.

This time, “It was a really close game,” said coach Chama Anderson. “It was 0-0 at half time.”

Just a little into the second half, the Wolverines broke away on the left, getting past Orcas defenders to score on their momentarily undefended keeper. Anderson counts the game’s slim margin of victory as testimony to the team’s recent improvement.

“It was quite an exciting game,” she said. “It was their first time playing under the lights for most of them.”

The team went on to play La Conner on Oct. 21.

“They had a great game, considering where we’ve been from the beginning,” said Anderson of the 3-0 loss. “We played really well and what we’re working on in practice is really coming out in the games. We’re definitely on the upslope as far as coming together and growing. Last week our work rate and effort held, our level of intensity and focus.”

Speedster forwards threatened the La Conner goal repeatedly, with a few heartbreakingly close goal attempts that ricocheted off the goalposts.

“We were even on shots,” said Anderson. “They didn’t outshoot us, but they were more successful in their shots. We’re working on getting (the shots) down… that just takes more practice. We’re building the foundation, the strategy of the game; you just do little by little, and slowly it builds.”

“Success is with the consistency of play,” she said – but Anderson measures success by more than a win. “It’s also in being able to count on each other,” she said.

If the team wins their next game against Concrete on Tuesday, Oct. 26, they will be guaranteed a berth at playoffs.