BOYS SOCCER | Scheduling snafu postpones ‘very important’ match

Vartanian expects Wolves to play Bellarmine Prep on Friday or Monday

TACOMA — South Kitsap will have to wait to learn about its playoff fate.

That might have been determined Tuesday until the Wolves’ boys soccer match at Bellarmine Prep was postponed because of a snafu that resulted in no officials present.

South (3-6-4 overall, 2-4-3 4A Narrows) might need to win its final three league contests to advance to the West Central/Southwest Bi-District Tournament. The Wolves trail fourth-place Central Kitsap (5-2-5, 3-1-5) by five points for the league’s final playoff spot.

“We’ve got to have some things work our way,” said South coach Cory Vartanian, adding that he believes his team must win at least two of their final three matches. “Unfortunately, we’re kind of in a position where we hope Central doesn’t succeed in that area.”

No date has been scheduled to play the Lions (6-4-1, 5-3-1), but Vartanian thinks it will be either Friday or Monday.

“It’s a very important game as far as how this season’s hopefully going to turn out,” said Vartanian, whose team concludes the regular season at 7 p.m. Monday against Yelm.

The Wolves have not missed the playoffs since 2011. One more loss also will ensure their first losing record since 2001, when they finished 5-8-1.

“There’s a lot of inconsistencies here and there,” Vartanian said. “It seems like we’re just one little small step away. We might have a mental breakdown for one minute of the game and the other team will capitalize.”

South has been shut out or limited to one goal in five league matches this year and have an 0-3-2 record in those contests.

“I think we pass and distribute very well,” Vartanian said. “We create many chances — at least 8 to 10 opportunities [per match] to put the ball in the back of the net. It just hasn’t happened.”

Despite that, Vartanian believes his team could surprise if they advance to the playoffs.

“I just hope that we end on a good note,” he said. “I really think that this team has not peaked yet.”

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