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 &...