The Friday Harbor Wolverines had a dramatic come-from-behind win over Orcas Sept. 23 to improve to 3-2 and take the lead in the Northwest 1A/2B League.

It’s a tenuous lead, however, but more about that later.

At Orcas, the Vikings led 1-0 at the half. Whitney Porter scored on a Hannah Starr assist to put the game in overtime. In the 87th minute — in second overtime, Porter scored again, this time with an assist from Alex MacDonald, to seal the win.

At the end of the game, Porter had a season 10 goals.

Then came Meridian on Saturday.

“Can a loss be called a victory,” Coach Mark Fishaut asked.

“In 2006, the Friday Harbor girls soccer team lost to Meridian 2-8. In 2007, the score was 0-8, and the Trojans went on to win the state 1A championship.

“On Saturday afternoon, the Wolverines lost 1-2 and came within hair’s breadth of knotting the score at the death.”

Friday Harbor took the lead early in the first session off Porter’s stunning effort. Meridian went level midway through the half and then took the lead and it was 1-2 at the half.

Friday Harbor dominated the second half but was unable to tie. Junior keeper Hannah Snow made a number of potentially difficult saves look easy, confirming her position as one of the premier goal keepers in the State.

Despite the loss, the game must serve as a seminal moment in the history of Friday Harbor girls soccer, according to Fishaut.

“These young women can now play with any 1A team in Washington.”

The junior varsity dominated the Meridian JV but lost 0-1. Despite playing with nine players, they moved the ball smartly but were just unable to finish.

“Their quality of play, combined with the efforts of the varsity who feature but two seniors, makes for a bright future for the program,” Fishaut said.

Next: The Wolverines hosted Mount Vernon Christian on Tuesday and host Concrete on Thursday. See results on SanJuanJournal.com and in the Oct. 8 Journal.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the team will be selling pins for Kicks Against Breast Cancer.