Eagles slip past Moose

WASILLA -- The Palmer Moose girls' soccer squad dropped a 3-1 decision to the West High Eagles during the first round of the ASAA 4A State Soccer Tournament on Thursday.

"We played pretty well for not seeing a team from Anchorage," Palmer head coach Brian Fish said.

The game marked the first meeting between the Moose and a team from Region IV this season.

Despite a stellar performance in goal from Palmer goalkeeper Tara Harrington, the Eagles were able to register a trio of goals. West did all of their scoring in the first half.

Harrington's aggressive play helped keep the Moose in the game. Harrington challenged the West strikers on several occasions.

"She is getting that way," Fish said of Harrington's aggressive play in net. "She had been a little more tentative."

Emily Thompson scored early in the first half to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.

The Moose were able to quickly rebound.

Within minutes Palmer tied the game. Moose junior Alicia Berberich set up sophomore Felica Sandvick with the inbound pass and Sandvick slipped the ball into the West net to tie the score at 1-1.

With 2:44 left in the first half, West got a 2-on-1 opportunity and Allison Stegman put the ball into the bottom right side of the net.

West scored again just seconds later.

Harrington went out to challenge West freshman Cari Gill and the Eagle striker was able to put the ball past the Palmer keeper and into the net.

Palmer advanced to the posteason after a third-place finish in the Region III tourney. The Moose finished 8-4-1 during the regular season.

West was the Region IV runner-up and finished 9-3-1.