2018 prep soccer: Colony girls, boys boast veteran depth

PALMER — With only one senior on the girls’ squad, the Colony Knights can’t resist thinking about the future. But with a squad loaded with veterans, the Knights aren’t ready to overlook the present. And the experience on the defensive side may help present Colony with another opportunity to earn a region championship.

The Knights return their entire back line: junior Mykaela McMullen, and sophomores Madison Wakaliuk, Madison Elliott and Stirling Elliott.

“As long as they are healthy, that’s really a strong point,” Johnson said early in the year.

The defensive side also includes Colony’s lone senior, goalkeeper Maddy Zmuda. Johnson said Zmuda, McMullen and Ashlynn Cornelison as players with the potential to step up and lead the team. Cornelison can play in goal and in the field.

“Our center backs and our goalkeepers are all good at being really vocal and directing the team,” Johnson said. “That’s a real positive.”

On the other end, Colony returns its top goal scorer, junior Gabby Wakaliuk. Johnson also noted sophomore Kira Fagerstrom. Johnson said Brown is a physical player who can work the ball up the field. Fagerstrom brings a great deal of versatility to the turf. Johnson said Fagerstrom is soccer’s version of the utility player in baseball.

“She can play any position. I could put her in goal if I needed to,” Johnson said.

Johnson has praised the progress during the first two weeks of the season.

“I’m happy with the girls’ progress this year,” Johnson said.

Johnson, the head coach of both Colony soccer programs, also has high praise for the boys’ team.

“I feel like we have a pretty strong team,” Johnson said.

Colony entered the season with key veterans throughout the lineup. Among the leaders are senior Cade Johnstone and junior Noah Krozel.

“(Krozel) and Cade, they’re running the game,” Johnson said. “We have one of, if not the strongest, center midfield in the state with Cade and Noah now.”

Senior Mike Shower and junior Kyle Dearborn are among the top weapons on the offensive side for the Knights. Junior Sullivan Menard is another key piece in the midfield.

Senior Martin Jones is a leader on defense.

The Colony girls won the Northern Lights Conference tournament last year, and the boys finished as the runner-up. This year, the Knights are in a new conference. ASAA reclassified soccer during the offseason and split the state’s team into two divisions. Colony is now part of the Division I Railbelt with Wasilla, West Valley and Lathrop. There is a six-team conference schedule, with no region tournament. The top two teams in the standings advance to state.

“It’s a different conference, and it’s a completely different mentality,” Johnson said. “Before, we were playing for most likely the No. 1 seed in the region tournament. Now, it’s six conference games, if you don’t play well in those conference games, that’s it. There’s no conference tournament.”

** Editor’s note: This is the first of a five-part series featuring the prep soccer programs from Colony, Houston, Palmer, Wasilla and Redington. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.