by Declan O’Malley
Sounder contributor
Orcas Island High School capped off last week’s action with a 1-0 victory over the state’s top-ranked team, Lopez High School. In blustery and stormy conditions, Viking Joaquin Shanks Moreles scored the match’s lone goal in the second half as the defense kept a clean sheet against the Lobos.
“Coming into Friday’s game, we hadn’t seen Lopez play or see any video or anything. We knew they were strong this year, undefeated, but the only information I had was from other coaches … which can be a little biased. Before the game, the coaches had decided we weren’t going to try to make any tactical changes. Our strategy would be to play our game and our strengths,” said Coach Terry Turner, who was thankful to have support from fans who braved strong winds.
“On Friday, the Orcas fans showed up in a big way for the long-anticipated match against Lopez Island, as did heavy rain and wind gusts well over 20 knots,” he said.
Lopez coach Mycah Kraushaar said, “It was windy, slippery and tense out there. This was a big game, and there was a lot of pressure. Half my team was fighting off a gnarly cold. Ultimately, several of our most effective offensive plays proved unreliable in the wind gusts.”
Lopez put up a good fight and came into the match with a solid game plan.
“We changed up our formation for this game to accommodate the clear skill Orcas holds through the center of the field. I thought my kids did a really great job of staying organized, implementing adaptable play, and getting creative amidst some structural shifts. Our defensive players really showed up,” Kraushaar said.
The Vikings’ players were thrilled with the result and put in a lot of work into earning the result.
“We’ve been talking about the game the whole week leading up to it, and I’m glad all of our focus paid off,” said senior Romero Lago.
Orcas traveled to Friday Harbor last week, beating the Wolverines 1-0.
“I think both teams were a little over anxious for our game against Friday Harbor, with neither team playing at their absolute best. But it was very hard fought by both teams, and we did see some bright spots,” Turner said.
The Vikings’ lone goal came midway through the first half. Anthony Conejo pounced on a loose ball in a scramble with the goalkeeper and poked it across the goal line for Orcas’ lone goal.
“Last week, Orcas played two of the most hard-fought, close, ‘gut it out’ games of the season. They were all the more important because at this time of the season, more of the games are considered conference games and count towards league standings and district seeding,” Turner said.
The two wins last week marks OIHS’ 10th in a row.
Cienna Richardson contributed a player quote to this story.
OIHS Cross Country competed in the 2024 Lake Lap Invite at Lake Padden in Bellingham. In the 2.6 Miles Boys Gold (under 20 min. 5k), OIHS finished with a team score of 286, competing against much larger schools at the 1A-3A levels.
In the 2.6 Miles Boys Gold (Under 20 min. 5k), Tomasi Malo would finish in the top half (51st) with 15:37.00, Finn Ontjes would clock 16:08.45 to finish at 71st, Drew Nunez would have a 16:34.26 time, Robin Limbach would record a 16:52.56 time, and Kenneth Farani had 17:26.9. Max Peterson finished at 30:42.10, and Hugh Kirk, at 30:44.00, would round out the OIHS runners.
Homecoming festivities
Students are decorating halls and preparing for all the fun festivities this week.
Volleyball vs. MVC on Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. Bake sale hosted by Orcas Island track.
Soccer vs. Evergreen Lutheran on Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m.: Burger concessions courtesy of Island Market.
Cross-country away on Oct. 24 for the Northwest 1B/2B League Championships at MVC.
Orcas Boosters are hosting the annual Chili & Bonfire event on Oct. 25 immediately after the school parade at the Village Green (3:30-ish).
