Boys prep soccer preview: Houston, Colony and Palmer are building; Wasilla could be peaking in 2007

April 20, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - The Valley dominated Northern Lights Conference boys soccer last season, with all three conference berths in the state tournament going to Mat-Su teams. Once in the big dance, Mat-Su teams fared fairly well, with Colony finishing fourth, Wasilla fifth and Palmer seventh.

But with the Knights and Moose taking substantial hits to their rosters due to graduation, the consensus seems to be that the Warriors are now the team to beat in the Northern Lights Conference.

&#8220I would pick them if I would pick anybody,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said.

Palmer's Kevin Dearborn agreed.

&#8220They've got a good, veteran team,” Dearborn said.

On paper, the Warriors have the best depth, with plenty of experienced players returning from last year. But both the Moose and Knights don't plan on rolling over for their cross-town rivals.

&#8220We're hoping to do our best and we'll see what happens,” Dearborn said.

And while still in the building stages of the program, an improving Houston Hawks could also give a couple teams a decent run for their money.

&#8220Over the years we've made a lot of improvements to our program,” Hawks coach Chad Rice said.

The boys season kicks off today with Palmer-Wasilla at Wasilla and Colony-Homer at Colony. Both games are at 6 p.m. Houston's season begins Tuesday on the road against Grace Christian at Anchorage Football Stadium.

Wasilla Warriors

Livingston said he's excited about his team's prospects for making a strong run deep into the post-season. But he's not taking anyone for granted, either.

&#8220We realize that every game is going to be a battle,” he said. &#8220But our ultimate goal is state.”

Wasilla finished the season 11-5-1 last year, and most of the players that helped the Warriors place fifth in state have returned, including their leading goal-scorer, senior striker Jordan Ingalls.

Ingalls scored 13 goals last season, and should get plenty more chances this year with all-state midfielder John Pahkala funneling the ball to the front.

&#8220He's kind of our playmaker,” Livingston said of his senior midfielder.

Wasilla also has standout seniors anchoring the back line, with sweepers Jeff Champion and David Kelner-Rode ready to stifle any opposing attacks.

With a deep, experienced team this year, Livingston said his squad realizes this could be Wasilla's year to shine.

&#8220We're excited about the season,” he said. &#8220Everybody realizes the opportunity is going to be there to be successful.”

Colony Knights

Colony, which graduated 14 seniors from last year's squad, is in a bit of a rebuilding phase this season.

&#8220We're looking really young,” coach Jeremy Johnson said.

The Knights rode a wave of talented seniors to success last season, but will rely heavily on younger players to lead them this year.

&#8220We're kind of starting back over,” Johnson said.

Senior Nathan Kowalczk will captain the young Knights. Beyond Kowalczk, however, it's mostly underclassmen. Johnson said sophomore Bridger VanNess will contribute in the midfield or on defense, but like most positions, his is still up in the air.

&#8220We definitely have a young crew,” Johnson said.

In goal, Johnson said one of three players - Gabe Gatto, George Percak-Dennett and Elliot Gilbert - will compete for the starting job.

Johnson said his team's youth should lead to some good competition for playing time, and he expects plenty of hungry young players to step into more prominent roles as the season goes on.

&#8220We'll see what happens,” Johnson said.

Palmer Moose

Like Colony, Palmer was also hit hard by graduation. Unlike the Knights, however, Palmer is also under new leadership, with Kevin Dearborn taking over as the new head coach.

Dearborn said he was worried it might take his team a while to warm up to its new coach, but said the change has gone smoothly.

&#8220I knew the transition might be a little tough,” he said. &#8220The boys have actually responded really well.”

Palmer has just two varsity players returning from last year's team, senior defender Haakan Bohman and senior forward Jerry Melin. Dearborn said Melin likely will be counted on to put the ball in the net for the Moose.

&#8220Definitely Jerry's going to be the scorer,” he said.

Other players expected to step into leadership roles will be senior Brian Senta and junior Randy Gardner, this year's team captains.

Dearborn is also excited about a newcomer to the squad, talented freshman Zach &#8220Ziggy” Zegzdryan, a midfielder who will be expected to help control the tempo of the game.

&#8220He's kind of the link between the offense and the defense,” he said.

Dearborn said that although his team will likely have to work early in the season to find an identity, he's cautiously optimistic about this year's outlook.

&#8220It's a little give and take, but I think we're coming around.”

Houston Hawks

One of the smallest soccer-playing schools in the state, Houston has in the past found little success on the soccer pitch. But with a renewed enthusiasm for the sport at youth levels, Hawks coach Chad Rice said that all could be about to change.

&#8220Playing in the off-season was huge for us,” Rice said.

The addition of the Multi-Use Sports Complex in Wasilla has enabled players to practice the sport year-round, which Rice said has been a boon for his program.

&#8220That place has been a great blessing for us,” he said.

Being able to play in the winter has led to more athletes focusing on soccer as a primary sport, which has, Rice said, helped the Houston program begin to move forward.

&#8220It was key for those guys to get in and have those games,” Rice said.

Rice said the indoor game has also helped his team work on precise passing and ball control - which will be key to the team's continued growth.

&#8220We're going to really try to concentrate on a powerful midfield and possession,” he said.

Senior captain Matt Gardner will anchor the midfield for the Hawks.

&#8220We're really expecting great things out of him,” Rice said.

Helping Gardner in the midfield will be sophomore Ryan Contreras, who Rice said is developing into a solid playmaker.

Up front, senior Patrick Jurica, along with sophomores Shane Norman and Jordan Cole, will be relied upon to help attack opposing defenses.

Junior John Sullivan likely will be in net for the Hawks, with juniors Thomas Smith and Hunter Seibold also expected to help out defensively.

Although still not on the level of the larger Valley schools, Rice said he couldn't be more happy with the progress his team is starting to show, and said the future looks bright for the Haws' program.

&#8220I see it really starting to take off here,” he said.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com