An almost effortless win Saturday afternoon almost made up for a disappointing loss suffered by the South Whidbey boys soccer team he night before.

After absorbing three losses in a row — losses they could ill afford if they want to make post-season play this year — the Falcon varsity team came home Saturday to put one more mark to the positive in the “win” column.

After suffering a one-goal loss to Nooksack Valley on the Pioneers’ home turf, the Falcons made short work of the boys from Mount Baker, shutting them out 3-0 at Waterman Field.

The game was goalkeeper Joe Gunn’s first shutout of the season, and it came in his second game back after suffering a concussion while facing Sultan last week.

In this, the first meeting of the two teams of the season, South Whidbey got the upper foot on the efforts of one of its most experienced seniors, Scott Perkins. Perkins nailed two goals in the game, while sophomore Connor Adams scored his second of the season to give the Falcons plenty of insurance in the North Cascades Conference victory.

The win had as much to do withthe confusion the Falcon offense caused as it did with acutal scoring. Quick feet on the part of South Whidbey’s Ben Walker kept the Mountaineers’ defense running and out of breath, while Mount Baker’s goalkeeper continually called out to his teammates to keep track of the sophomore midfielder.

The Saturday game was much more in South Whidbey’s control than Friday’s contest against Nooksack Valley. They lost to the Pioneers 1-0 on a penalty kick.

According to Falcon coach Fran Einterz, the Falcons were missing four or five players in both wekend games due to the Easter holiday: The shortage hurt them Friday. Several junior varsity players were moved up to the varsity team to fill holes in the lineup.

The Falcons are now at 4-5 overall and in NCC play.

South Whidbey will play its next game Thursday at Granite Falls. They play on their home turf Saturday against Blaine. Because the Westling Invitational track meet is scheduled for the same day at Waterman Field, the 2 p.m. game will take place on the South Whidbey Community Park upper field.