t Many missed opportunities come back to haunt

SK in 1-0 loss

Offense hasn’t been an issue for the South Kitsap girls soccer team.

At least until Thursday night.

After a goal by sophomore Kelsey Callaghan in the 22nd minute, the Wolves didn’t score again in a 2-1 Narrows League loss against Olympia.

“It was the first game we had where we played under pressure,” South coach Michael Krug said. “It’s prime example that we’ve got to train under game pace. By doing that, we’ll be able to play a little more composed. We got a little unnerved.”

The Wolves (3-2 overall, 2-1 Narrows League) won their last three matches by a combined score of 20-0. But Olympia added goals in the 41st and 72nd minutes to secure Thursday’s win.

“We had some opportunities, but we just didn’t capitalize on them,” Krug said. “The coaches identify what the situation was and build off of it. I’d run these girls against anyone in the state.”

Callaghan helped the Wolves avoid their first shutout since a 1-0 nonleague loss in the Sept. 8 season opener against Olympic. She credited senior teammate for the pass — and advice — that helped create the goal.

“I was going to cross it, and I heard Tori yell, ’Shot,’ ” she said. “I kicked it, and it just happened to have the right amount of oomph to get in there.”

South graduated a dozen players off last year’s team that missed the Class 4A state tournament by a mere game, and one of its few returning veterans, forward Courtney Brown, broke her right fibula during an Olympic Development Program tryout last week. Krug said the junior will miss the rest of the season.

Despite her absence, the Wolves still moved the ball well and seemed like they might be able to pull out at least a tie. Riley Dopps’ shot deflected off the top of the crossbar with four minutes left, and no one could convert a pass by Christina Boddie that landed in front of the goal a couple minutes later.

“I thought we were the better team tonight,” Krug said. “We just didn’t get it done. If we go 13-1, I’ll take it.”

It won’t get any easier as South hosts perennial power Bellarmine Prep at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Lions have advanced to the 4A state tournament the last five years.

“We just need to bounce back,” Callaghan said. “We’ll practice hard Monday and get it done.”

South Kitsap 1,

Olympia Bears 2

SK — Kelsey Callahan goal, 23rd minute

Olympia goals 43rd min, 67 min