Colony boys dismantle 2017 state runner-up

PALMER — When the Colony Knights officially made the move to the Division I Railbelt Conference, part of ASAA’s reclassification of Alaska prep soccer, Knights head coach Jeremy Johnson knew West Valley would be tough to contend with.

Last season, West Valley was penalty kicks shy of an Alaska boys’ soccer state title, falling to South Anchorage in a state championship shootout. Thursday, Colony got its first crack at the Wolfpack, and the Knights dismantled their newest region rival 5-2 at Colony High School.

“It was the first game in a new conference,” Johnson said. “We were thinking they’re one of the tougher sides in the conference, other than us.”

Noah Krozel and Kyle Dearborn each notched two goals and an assist in the match, Johnson viewed as a measuring stick. Johnson said once the Knights took the 2-1 lead late in the first half, Colony was able to take over.

“The second half we owned it,” Johnson said. “We controlled the second half.”

Cade Johnstone also scored for the Knights.

In addition to the scoring punch provided by Krozel, Dearborn and Johnstone, Johnson praised the work of his athletes on the defensive side of the turf.

“The defense was nice and organized,” Johnson said. “I was really happy with our back four, organized and solid back there.”

Johnson said that is particularly important, considering West Valley’s ability to score goals in bunches.

Colony improved to 2-0-0 in Railbelt play with a 2-0 win over Lathrop Friday. Krozel and Caleb Covington both scored for the Knights in the win.

Krozel gave the Knights the 1-0 lead late in the first half. Johnson said the Knights made an in-game adjustment, moving Krozel ahead from the midfield. Johnson said Krozel excels in one-on-one situations against a defender. Krozel capitalized on an opportunity, beating a defender in the box before drawing the attention of the West Valley goalkeeper. The West Valley keeper made a move toward Krozel, and Krozel worked his way around to get the score.

In the second half, Covington tucked a shot just inside the upper corner of the net. On the left side of the field, Covington sent a right-footed boot that curled into the corner of the net with about 15 minutes left to play.

Colony girls rally to top West Valley

West Valley built a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of play, but the Knights used three unanswered goals to score a 3-2 girls’ soccer win over West Valley Thursday at Colony High.

Gabby Wakaliuk scored just before the halftime whistle to cut West Valley’s lead in half. Johnson, also the head coach of the girls team, said that was the spark.

“The girls really stepped up in the second half,” Johnson said.

Wakaliuk and Myah Hoover scored in the second half for the Knights. Johnson also noted the work of Kira Fagerstrom, who helped the Knights control play.

Friday, Wakaliuk and Ashlynn Cornelison each scored in a 2-0 win over Lathrop. Cornelison’s goal was the first of her career. The score was set up by a Mykaela McMullen corner kick. McMullen dropped the ball right in front of Cornelison, who was able to knock it in.

Conrnelison, a junior, spent time at goalkeeper during her prep career, but Johnson said the Knights needed her in the field this season.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.