Beetch ball: PHS senior's soccer career will go beyond high school

PALMER - Ben Beetch has played soccer since he was 6 years old. There has always been a desire to continue playing the sport, even after he leaves high school.

Even though Beetch's desire to keep playing the sport he loves never diminishes, sometimes it just gets greater.

Last year during his junior season at Palmer High School, Beetch and the Moose upset the highly-touted West Anchorage Eagles in the first round of the state soccer tournament. The thrill of that team win motivated Beetch to sprint harder toward another victory. Beetch wanted the opportunity to win a roster spot on a college soccer team.

&#8220The team spirit was awesome. It pretty much inspired me to keep going, keep playing the game,” Beetch said after Palmer's 3-0 win over Kenai last week.

And now Beetch is victorious. Beetch, a senior, is capping his PHS soccer career this season. But next year, he will start a new era in his soccer career as a freshman at Coker College.

Beetch formally committed to the Division II program in Hartsville, S.C., prior to the start of his senior season at PHS. He has considered Fort Lewis College in Colorado and a few smaller programs in Washington before choosing Coker. Beetch said the Coker coaching staff contacted him after they saw him play in a tournament in South Carolina during the summer. Beetch made the trip as a part of the Alaska North Strikers select squad. After being contacted, Beetch formed a relationship with the Coker coaches, and ultimately decided the South Carolina school would be a good fit for him.

Palmer head coach Tom Harrison said he also sees Coker and the Division II level as a good fit for Beetch.

&#8220The biggest thing for him is he hasn't yet realized his full potential. He has the athleticism and drive to continue to get better,” Harrison said. &#8220Some kids are peaking out of high school. He has the potential to get better and

better.”

During his four years at Palmer and his time in the competitive leagues, Beetch as had the chance to gain experience at different areas on the field. He plays center-midfield for the Moose, and played on the defensive side of the field for the Alaska Goldstrikers competitive soccer squad. Beetch said he will continue to play in the midfield at the college level. Rather than playing on defense and not getting as many touches, Beetch said, he'd rather be able to work in the open space, and play against the other skilled players.

&#8220It's a challenge,” Beetch said.

The combination of his offensive and defensive skills make Beetch Palmer's most skilled player all around, Harrison said.

&#8220Athletically, he's deceptively fast. He seems to get faster when he has the ball. He's just about impossible to stop in a 1-on-1 situation,” Harrison said. &#8220He's super solid on the defensive in, just about impossible to dribble against.”

Another key, Harrison said, is Beetch's durability.

&#8220He's a slight guy, but his durability has been super impressive,” Harrison said.

Contact sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at 352-2273, or sports@frontiersman.com.