Freshman’s goal, assist leads Colony girls

EAGLE RIVER — The first round of the state tournament hasn’t been kind to Colony in recent years. But on Thursday, the Knights were able to exorcise a couple of demons that have haunted the team in seasons past.

Colony moved into the semifinal round with a 2-1 win over West Valley during the ASAA/First National Bank State Soccer Championships quarterfinals at Eagle River High School on Tuesday.

With the win, Colony clinched a spot in the state semifinals for the first time since 2004. The Knights also managed to top a West Valley team that has turned into their state tourney nemesis. West Valley had eliminated Colony from state tournament play three times since 2008.

“It’s a curse we’ve had for a couple years. The only time we’ve ever been able to play West Valley has been at state, and we’ve never been able to get past them at all,” Colony head coach Lorie Miner said.

Freshman Peyton Johnstone and junior Ariana Saxon scored within a five-minute span midway through the first half to help Colony earn a semifinal date with Service, which is slated for today at noon at Chugiak High School.

“We were connecting with our passes,” Miner said of her team’s success. “We had to be patient and continue to move the ball around.”

Sophomore Bristyl Baker set up the first goal for the Knights, a Johnstone tally, during the 20th minute. With the ball just outside the right side of the penalty box, Baker popped a pass into the air. Johnstone, the 2013 Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year, settled the cross deep in the left side of the box and knocked a shot low, just inside the left post.

About five minutes later, Johnstone helped create Colony’s second goal. The freshman took a hard shot, which was deflected off a West Valley defender. The ball bounced directly to Saxon, who put a ball high inside the left crossbar.

Colony, which outscored opponents 62-5 in 17 matches heading into the state tournament, also had a number of opportunities in the second half.

“We could have had five, six goals,” Miner said.

Saxon blasted a shot of the right side post in the 54th minute. Johnstone had a pair of shots during a 10-minute span of the second half, and senior Ali Baker had a shot saved by the West Valley keeper during the 59th minute.

West Valley was only able to hold sustained pressure at select times during the match. The Wolfpack controlled pace for about the first seven minutes of the second half. Miner said if West Valley would have struck during that stretch, the match would have been very different.

“We could not afford that. That’s what happened to us in the (Northern Lights Conference) championship game with Soldotna. We almost put our backs up against the wall,” Miner said, referring to Colony’s slim 2-1 win over the Stars in the NLC title game last week. “We needed to stay in our game.”

Colony was able to regain momentum and not allow West Valley to strike until late. The Wolfpack scored their lone goal during the 77th minute. Audrey Wade netted the tally for West Valley.

Colony improved to 17-0-1 this season with the win.

“Our girls are playing a good game. I’m pleased with the win,” Miner said.

Service beat Thunder Mountain 5-0 to move into the semifinals. Colony beat Thunder Mountain 1-0 during the regular season, but did not face the Cougars. Service finished fourth in the state tournament last season. Service finished second in the Cook Inlet Conference at 8-4-2.