Colony boys advance to state championship match

CHUGIAK — It took a pair of overtime wins over conference champions. But after playing 200 minutes worth of soccer, the Colony Knights are headed to the boys state title match for the first time since 2005.

A day after edging Southeastern Conference champion Juneau-Douglas 2-1 in overtime, Colony scored a pair of goals in extra time to knock Cook Inlet Conference champion West Anchorage out of the running, with a 4-2 win over the Eagles in the ASAA/First National Bank State Soccer Championships semifinals Friday afternoon at Chugiak High School.

Senior Nick Blohm and junior Kyle Bolam scored during 20 minutes worth of overtime to seal the win, and move the Knights into a state title match with South Anchorage, which is slated for Saturday at 5:45 p.m. at Chugiak High School.

The overtime goals came after West shocked Colony with a goal late in the second half. Colony led deep into regulation before West senior Henry Vasquez slipped a ball into the Knights during the 78th minute to tie the score at 2.

“Most of the second half we were playing not to lose. We were on our heels a lot in the second half. It’s not to say it’s a blessing, you never want to go into overtime, but once that goal went in, we kind of woke up,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said.

Blohm gave Colony a lead quickly in overtime, knocking in a ball off a Jake Spannagel corner kick during the match’s 82nd minute.

“It was huge to get that goal, especially early in the overtime period,” Colony senior captain Tanner Menard said. “You could see their heads drop a little bit.”

Bolam added his goal with two minutes left in overtime. Colony sent a ball up the middle. Bolam chased the ball down, and managed to beat a defender and West’s diving goalkeeper, Hunter Dunn, to get the goal. After Bolam beat the last man on defense, Dunn came out to challenge, and dove, getting a piece of the ball. The ball rolled past Dunn. Bolam was able to stay on his feet, and tipped the ball in.

“Kyle’s awesome play, the one-one-one with the keeper, that was the dagger to seal the game,” Menard said.

Johnson said his team played better defensively during the 20 minutes of overtime.

“We kind of hunkered down, but instead of playing not to lose, we started playing to secure the win more; whereas in the second half, we were giving them lots of opportunities on goal,” Johnson said.

Menard and Spannagel scored first-half goals for the Knights.

Colony took an early lead during the seventh minute. The Knights played a ball into the box and Menard, at the right end, tucked a low shot inside the nearside post. The Knights quickly added to that lead, with Spannagel’s goal in the 10th minute. Spannagel took the ball on the left side, cut toward the middle and ripped a low shot into the far side of the net.

South Anchorage also needed overtime to reach the final. The Wolverines edged Dimond 2-1 in extra time, setting up a rematch of the 2005 state title match. South edged Colony 2-1.

This is Colony’s third trip to the state championship game. The Knights won their lone title in 2000, beating Juneau 3-2.

Service girls 7, Colony 0

CHUGIAK — Service advanced to the girls state title game for the first time since 2010 with a 7-0 win over Colony Friday afternoon at Chugiak High School.

With the loss, Colony will play for third place. The Knights meet Northern Lights Conference rival Soldotna Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Chugiak High School.

Wasilla boys 4, Soldotna 3 SO

EAGLE RIVER — Wasilla stayed alive with a 4-3 shootout win over NLC rival Soldotna in elimination action Friday night at Eagle River High School.

The teams were tied at 2, and after scoreless overtime action, Wasilla got the best of the Stars during a shootout.