Freshman posts hat trick to lead Warriors past Knights

PALMER — The Wasilla Warriors girls soccer team defeated the Colony Knights 4-1 Monday at Colony High School.

Wasilla freshman Alexa Starr scored the first three goals to put the Warriors ahead and then ice the game.

Starr's first goal was assisted by Haley Ryenski attacking on the offensive end, which is something coach Patrick O'Neil wanted to see.

“Outside of a couple individual efforts by Haley and Alexa, I thought Colony was better than us in the first half, defensively with physical play,” O’Neil said. “I just told them to get after it in the second half.”

The Warriors advance to 2-1-1 in Northern Lights Conference play and 7-3-1 overall. Multiple goalkeepers saw time in the Colony net, as the team as been plagued by injury, said head coach Stephanie Miner. Junior Sierra Copeland started the game in goal and was relieved by Tessa McKittrick.

“If they're not injured, they're sick,” Miner said.

Despite a dislocated shoulder, senior Brittney Andersen scored the team's only goal.

“The more physical that they are on her, it just increases her drive to score,” Miner said.

Starr notched her first three-goal game at any level.

“Haley gave me a really nice ball off the line for that first goal. I'm happy with the way we've been improving,” Starr said. “I think we need to work more as a team before regions.”

The Warriors made some changes to strengthen the team defensively.

“Alexis Butcher played her first game at sweeper, and I thought she played very strong, especially in a game we had to win,” O’Neil said.

With the win, the Warriors solidify the second seed in the North for the Northern Lights Conference tournament starting Thursday, with the Knights holding a third seed.

Wasilla is expected to play Nikiski in the first round, while Colony will face Kenai.