Bulldogs blank Warrior girls

WASILLA -- The Nikiski Bulldogs spoiled the Wasilla girls' soccer squad home opener Friday.

The Bulldogs defeated Wasilla 1-0.

Nikiski put a looping kick over the head of Wasilla goal keeper Melissa Wallace midway through the first period. The score gave Nikiski a 1-0 lead and it was all that the Bulldogs would need.

"We are a little disappointed overall," Wasilla head coach Tony Jensen said. "I don't think any of us felt like we played to our potential."

"Nikiski did some good things," Jensen said. "They neutralized our attack."

Wasilla was able to keep constant pressure on Nikiski in the first half. The Warriors were able to keep the ball in play in the Nikiski zone for significant lengths of time.

"We were able to get control, but they prevented us from getting good shot opportunities," Jensen said. "They forced us to make shots that we did not like to take."

The Warriors finished 8-4-1 last season and earned the second seed in the 2002 Region III tournament. Homer defeated Wasilla in the first round of the tourney.

Wasilla will be led by senior Cara Hesselbach. The forward was named first-team All-Region III last season. The Warriors also return senior center midfielder Rita Hartman, a second-team All-Region selection from a year ago.

Wallace is returning for her third year as the starting Wasilla goal keeper.

"We expect some good things," Jensen said of Wallace.