Nine games into the season and the number “one” still looms large.

The Friday Harbor boys soccer team suffered its third consecutive defeat by a margin of just one goal, Saturday, in a 3-2 loss at home to Nooksack Valley — in overtime.

“We’re much better than we were last year,” team captain Brett Paul said of the Wolverines. “This team is way more dynamic. We just need to learn how to finish that last little bit.”

At the end of regulation, with the score tied 2-2, a defensive lapse by the Wolverines allowed the Pioneers’ Alejandro Hurado a clear shot at the goal from point-blank range with three minutes gone in the extra period. He drilled it past the outstretch arms of a diving Michael Barsamian, who found himself in a one-on-one situation in trying to defend the Friday Harbor goal.

The Pioneers prevented Friday Harbor from mounting a comeback over the next seven minutes of O.T. to seal the victory. The Wolverines fell to 2-7 on the heels of the defeat.

Earlier in the week, the Wolverines fell one goal short in a 2-1 loss at home, March 28, against Division 2A Sedro Woolley, and failed to best another one-goal margin in a 3-2 defeat on the road against Northwest High School.

Next:

Friday Harbor is home to host Meridian, Saturday, April 13; game time is 4:30 p.m.