Colony girls battle 2-time defending state champs

PALMER — The Dimond Lynx hit the turf at Colony High School Friday evening riding a streak of 41 straight matches without a loss. Colony made the two-time defending state champions work to extend it to 42.

The Lynx used a late insurance goal to break away with a 3-1 win over the Knights at Colony High School.

“I’m really, really happy with the girls,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “I thought we were really organized defensively, and did a good job against the two-time defending state champions.”

Gabby Wakaliuk cut Dimond’s lead in half during the 57th minute. Bella Brown fed Wakaliuk with a long pass up the field, and Wakaliuk broke into the right side of the box. She drew the attention of the Dimond netminder, and knocked a shot into the left side of the goal.

“I thought it was a great pass, beautiful goal,” Johnson said. “We’ve been trying to find that pass to Gabby. It’s nice to be able to get it.”

Dimond has not suffered a loss since the second day of the 2015 state tournament. In 2016, the Lynx were 18-0-0. Last season, Dimond finished 19-0-1. Johnson said his team’s play against a squad the caliber of Dimond shows Colony’s overall growth.

“I’m happy with the progress this year. We lost some key seniors last year,” Johnson said. “I’m thrilled with the way the girls played tonight.”

The Colony boys played a hard-fought game against Dimond, also considered a top team in the state, and finished with a scoreless draw.

“It was a really good game, back and forth. Both teams had good chances,” Johnson said.

Junior Noah Krozel nearly gave his team a lead twice in the game. During the 58th minute, Krozel found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. Krozel was ruled offsides. During the final moments of play, Krozel was inches away from notching the game-winner. Following a Sullivan Menard cross from the left, Dimond cleared a ball back to the 18-yard line. Krozel booted a shot, that glanced off the inside of the post. Seconds later, the final whistle sounded.

Overall, Johnson said he likes how his team is playing.

“We still have things to work on to get better, but I really like the work. They are all showing up working hard every day, working as a team. There is a lot of good team chemistry,” Johnson said.

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