Colony junior named Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year

PALMER — After Colony senior Cade Johnstone edged his teammate, junior Noah Krozel, by just one point in the voting for Railbelt Conference Player of the Year, Knights head coach Jeremy Johnson said either could have taken home the award.

Johnson took it a step further and said either of his star midfielders could also win the state player of the year award. The longtime Knights mentor was right. Krozel has been named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Johnson said Krozel obviously has the skill set, but there’s one thing that really sets him apart.

“His work ethic is pretty much unmatched,” Johnson said Wednesday evening. “He works really hard.”

Johnson said throughout the season Krozel and Johnstone combined to form the best duo in the midfield in the state, and the pair was a big reason why Colony advanced to the Division I state title match. That was due in part to Krozel making the move from forward to the midfield. A natural goal-scorer, Krozel found the back of the net 35 times as a sophomore. As a junior in the midfield, Krozel scored 22 goals and significantly increased his assists. Johnson said Krozel’s work on the field leads to many of his goal-scoring opportunities.

“He outworks everybody on the field, and he has a brilliant shot,” Johnson said. “He finds space and strikes the ball really well.”

Johnson said Krozel, a team captain, also has tremendous leadership abilities.

“He leads by example,” Johnson said.

Krozel is the first Colony High soccer player to win the award, but the 10th Knights athlete to be honored by Gatorade. Former Knights standouts Brandon Nicholson (boys’ track, 2017), Audrey Michaelson (girls’ track, 2013), George Percak-Dennett (football, 2007), Ryan Collins (boys’ track, 2002), Cole Magner (football, 2001), Eli Wilson (boys’ basketball, 2000), Jessica Moore (girls’ basketball, 1999 and 2000), Eric Strabel (boys’ track, 1999) and Maren Witzel (volleyball, 1997) have also received Gatorade player of the year awards.

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