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Close losses can be either frustrating or encouraging.

The latter was the case for the La Conner High girls’ soccer team at Coupeville last Wednesday.

La Conner fell 4-2 in its season debut Sept. 15 despite goals by freshman Baylee Smith and senior Delaney Cobbs and strong play from frosh goalkeeper Odessa Bates.

“Overall, I felt good about the match,” La Conner head coach Christian Warman said afterward. “It wasn’t perfect, but I believe we were able to prove that we are competitors.”

Smith scored La Conner’s first goal of the season off a throw in, while Cobbs delivered on a deft free kick – which Warman described as “an absolute smash” – that found the top corner of the net.

La Conner kept pace with Coupeville for much of the match despite not having any substitutes.

“Due to our small roster and COVID quarantines, we did it iron-man style with no subs,” Warman said.

In many respects, the final score wasn’t totally reflective of how tight the match was. As La Conner mounted a comeback, Coupeville was able to take time off the clock while its players were treated for in-match injuries.

Having no players in reserve, the team soldiered on through aches and pains sustained during the match.

Warman was especially encouraged because his young team was held scoreless during last spring’s modified season.

“After going goal-less all of last season,” he said, “I was thrilled we were able to produce on the offensive side of the ball. We’re a whole new team with a new attitude and we’ve got some girls who really want to score some goals.

“Our ability to continue to develop our attack,” he added, “is going to win us some games this season.”

Bates’ work in goal should be a contributing factor as well, he said.

“She came out with some big saves,” said Warman.

La Conner hosts Friday Harbor 4 p.m. today (Wednesday) and are home Sept. 28 (4 p.m.) and Sept. 30 (6 p.m.) with Mount Vernon Christian and Coupeville, respectively.

“It’s only going to get better from here,” Warman said. “I’m very excited for the season to progress.”