Another grudge match

May 10, 2005

JEREMIAH BARTZ/Frontiersman sports editor

WASILLA - Two games, two goals, two ties.

After playing to a 1-1 tie two weeks ago, the Colony Knights and Wasilla Warriors fought to a 0-0 tie at Wasilla High School's Veterans Memorial Field on Monday.

For the second time this season, defense dominated the play in a Colony-Wasilla match-up.

Quality chances were few, but when a team did have an opportunity, it was on a shot that would have reached the back of the net against most teams.

"Both of us have really solid defenses, so its hard to score," Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said. "Wasilla has not given up many goals and neither have we."

Colony had a pair of chances against a virtually open net. In the first half, with only Wasilla midfielder Zach Bennett standing in between Colony and the Wasilla net, the Knights put a shot on goal and Bennett booted away the opportunity. On the rebound, Colony striker Ian Walton found the Wasilla goalkeeper out of position, but pushed his hard shot just wide of the goal.

In the second half Colony had another shot against a virtually open net. The Knights' initial shot hit the post of the goal and Colony's Gerald Miller stood alone in front of the net, just salivating, waiting to sink in the score. But the shot took a goofy bounce and popped over the head of Miller. Wasilla sweeper Robbie Champion promptly swept the ball away, kicking it toward the sideline.

"We both have a deep sweeper type of thing, where are sweepers pretty much pick up everything," Johnson said. "It's hard to create a lot of chances."

Vladimir Dahl had an opportunity for Wasilla in the second that could have easily given the Warriors the lead.

Colony was able to control the pace offensively, but Wasilla's defense effort canceled the work out.

"They're big into the hustle thing, and they didn't give up the entire time," Walton said. "Everything about them is defense. They drop back and recover so fast. Everybody's bunched up, so it's kind of hard to get the ball through there."

Colony juniors Jarrod Carney and Bryan Tomlinson also had opportunities in the second half, but were rejected by the Warrior defense.

"When we play a program like Colony, you have to bring everything. I really felt like our guys really dug in today and played hard for 80 minutes," Wasilla head coach Blake Livingston said. "Robbie and Zach did really well in the middle. As a team, our defensive effort was stellar."

Though just a tie, the game actually was a help to Colony. The Knights earned the first seed in the upcoming Northern Lights Conference Championships with the tie.

"At least we got the job done, as far as that," Johnson said.

The Knights finished the regular season 12-1-2 overall.

Wasilla has the second seed in the tourney, finishing at 7-1-5 overall.

"It's nice for us to know that we can play with anybody," Livingston said. "If we bring this kind of effort every game, we'll definitely be a tough opponent."

The conference tournament begins Friday morning at Colony High School.