Hat trick sparks Knights

PALMER — During her first two seasons with the Colony Knights, Brittney Anderson’s contributions came on the defensive end of the field. Anderson’s role has since changed, and she’s found a different way to spark the Knights.

Colony’s newfound forward notched a hat trick to lead the Knights to a 3-0 win over the Palmer Moose at Machetanz Field on Tuesday.

“This year she came to us real early in the fall and said, ‘I’d like to have the opportunity to play up front,’” Colony head coach Lorie Miner said. “We watched her. She made that adjustment, and we’ve been smiling ever since.”

Anderson scored twice in the first half and added a score in the second 40 minutes to lead Colony to the win, its third in as many matches. The junior scored in the 21st minute to give her team its first lead and padded that advantage during the 32nd minute. She capped her scoring in the 70th minute.

Anderson’s work on Tuesday adds to the junior’s continued success. Miner said Anderson has fit well into her new position.

“She’s got speed, she’s got the stamina to do the endurance of the duration of the game, and she’s got the ball sense to carry and take it to the net,” Miner said. “And she’s not afraid. She’s absolutely not afraid.”

On at least two of the scores, Palmer goalkeeper Morgan Morfe managed to get at least a piece of the shot, but Anderson found a way to power the attempt by.

“We talked about it at halftime, having to overcome when the keeper comes out like that. Brittney did that,” Miner said. “That’s hard to simulate in practice without killing your own goalie.”

During the 21st minute, Anderson put a hard strike off the hands of Morfe. The shot glanced off Morfe’s palms and went straight over the keeper’s head and into the net.

Later in the first half, Anderson managed to get a piece of a loose ball inside the Palmer box, and the attempt made it through. With about 10 minutes remaining in regulation and Anderson threatening, Morfe came out to challenge. The Palmer keeper made a save on an initial shot, but Anderson was able to continue pressure. The Colony forward got a piece of the ball and followed it into the right corner of the Palmer net.

Despite the Anderson scores, Palmer head coach Harmony Chadwick praised the work of her goalie.

“Morgan is amazing,” Chadwick said. “She did great.”

Even more impressive, Chadwick said, Morfe played while injured.

“She’s injured. She has a bad ankle, but she would not let me sub her,” Chadwick said.

With the bad ankle, Morfe couldn’t take her own kicks, but she did help slow down a consistent Colony attack.

“The second half we let them settle into their game,” Chadwick said of her opponent. “That was our mistake.”

Senior Jamie Krediet, sophomore Ali Baker and sophomore Zoe Hixenbaugh also provided a push in the offensive zone for Colony. Another key during recent wins over Palmer, Grace Christian and Nikiski, Miner said, has been the play of the back row and Colony freshman keeper Jaden Chew.

“That defensive line is doing a wonderful job,” Miner said of the likes of Rebecca Steel-Mackey, Bayli Jenski and Savanna Nash. “They just have this natural flow of the game and a trust with one another, knowing they can tap the ball back and Jaden’s going to get it.”

Arguably Palmer’s best opportunities came early. Senior Kendal Venzke watched her hard strike in the fifth minute be saved by Chew. Palmer also missed a penalty kick in the 24th minute.

The Moose have also enjoyed recent success. Palmer stormed past Homer 7-0, and added 1-0 wins over Grace Christian and Nikiski.

Colony boys blank Palmer

Sean Collette may not have scored for Colony. But his rocket off the post just may have sparked the Knights.

Avery Smith knocked in the rebound of Collette’s shot off the post during the 46th minute to help Colony grab a 4-0 win over the Palmer Moose at Machetanz Field on Tuesday.

Smith’s goal, his first of two in the game, came after 46 minutes of scoreless soccer.

“We actually started pretty strong, we just had some trouble finishing,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “In the first 30 minutes, I felt like we really held play well.”

But in the second half, the Knights were able to finish. Smith scored twice to build a 2-0 lead for the Knights. Hunter Fisher and Grant Krueger also tallied scores for the Knights.

Johnson said the difference between the two halves was fairly simple. Colony executed during the final 40 minutes.

“The effort was there (in the first half), we just needed to step up the execution, “ Johnson said.

Leading 1-0, Matt Kelly crossed a ball from the right side and Smith — locked to the far post — used a header to notch his second goal of the game.

“Avery is one of those guys, he has a nose for the net,” Johnson said. “He’s always around the net.”

Colony took the 3-0 lead during the 64th minute with Fisher’s goal. Chris Olsen sent a ball from midfield to Fisher, who tapped it with his left foot into the Palmer net.

“That was a beautiful touch by Hunter,” Johnson said.

The Knights rounded out the scoring in the 72nd minute when Kelly used a corner kick to set up a Krueger goal.

Both the Palmer and Colony boys and girls take a trip south this weekend. Today, the Moose are at Skyview High in Soldotna and Colony is at Homer. Palmer travels to Homer on Saturday and Colony is at Skyview.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.