Colony soccer preview: Junior classes lead Colony boys, girls

PALMER — With the type of depth the Colony Knights boys’ soccer team has had in its senior classes recently, longtime head coach Jeremy Johnson knew a season like this was bound to come.

Colony enters the 2012 season with only three seniors, but Johnson is still excited about his team’s chances.

“We lost 17 seniors over the last two seasons. We really are basically looking at a brand new team from just two years ago,” Johnson said recently. “There will be some growing pains.”

Colony is off to a fair start so far, sitting with an early-season mark of 2-1-0. The Knights started the year with a loss to West Valley, but have recorded back-to-back shutouts over Nikiski and Wasilla.

Johnson’s three seniors — Sean Colette, John Meaney and Ricky Kubacki — are leading the Knights into the new season. Colette plays in the outside midfield and Meaney is in the center midfield. Kubacki is among three players vying for the starting goalkeeper job. Kubacki recorded the shutout in net during a recent 3-0 win over Wasilla.

The Knights have a strong junior class, led by center midfielder Tanner Menard. That class includes newcomer Jake Spannagel, who scored four goals against Nikiski.

Lucas Hickle, Leo Jaschak and Nate Paker also return. Colony also has sophomore outside midfielder Ben Atkinson and sophomore midfielder Chris Olsen, who both played significant roles as freshmen.

Austin Richardson is among the younger players who should contribute.

Johnson said the midfield should be a strength of his team.

The Knights return to the field to face rival Palmer April 25 at The Dome in Anchorage.

Girls hope to showcase strong offense

It’s still early in the 2012 prep soccer season. Some local teams are still working to find their identities.

Lorie Miner, the longtime head coach of the Colony girls soccer program, hopes a potent offense is central to her team’s identity this season.

“I think we’re going to have a very strong offensive attack,” Miner said recently.

Miner said she believes Colony (0-1-1 in its first two matches) certainly has the talent to fuel that strong attack. Senior Brittany Anderson, who stood among the top goal scorers in the Northern Lights Conference as a junior last season, returns to the lead the Knights.

The Knights boast a strong junior class, which includes Ashley James, Ali Baker, Katya Jenkins and Zoe Hixenbaugh

Krystal Heimerl, another varsity staple, also returns. Colony’s starting goalkeeper, Jaden Chew, is also back. Miner said Sabrina Trenton and Savannah Nash will also play key roles on the team.

In addition to the veterans, Miner also noted a pair of newcomers — freshmen Bristol Baker and Amy Gray. Sierra Copeland will work as the backup goalkeeper.

The Knights return to the field to face rival Palmer April 25 at The Dome in Anchorage.

** Editor’s note: This is part of a four-part series previewing the seasons of the local prep soccer squads. For more, visit frontiersman.com/sports.