Houston soccer preview: Hawks boys fly into season with win, girls program returns to HHS

PALMER — If Houston High boys soccer coach Colton Conner wants to compare his team’s first match of the 2011 season with the first game of 2012 and use it as a measuring stick, he can see just how far his program has come.

Last season, Houston suffered a 9-0 loss to Nikiski in its season-opener. This year, Houston recorded the 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs.

“It’s the best soccer game I’ve seen ever for Houston,” said Conner, a Houston High alum who also played for the Hawks. “Nikiski is a tough, well-coached team.”

In many years, wins have been hard to come by for the Hawks. Last season, Houston was able to score one victory, a win over Skyview. But this season, the Hawks were able to fly right out of the gate with a victory.

Conner joked that he hopes his team didn’t peak too early. But in all seriousness, Conner said his players are eager to continue to get better and better.

“They’re confident. I don’t think they’re overconfident,” Conner said.

Conner said he believes that victory sparked his players’ enthusiasm.

“It’s like, wow, we can compete with some teams,” Conner said.

Senior Jake Wells and sophomore Martin Budde scored for the Hawks in the win, and senior Jake Davis stood strong in the Hawks goal. Conner said Davis made a number of key saves in the win, especially late.

Wells, also a standout in football and hockey during his first year at Houston High, has emerged as a leader on the soccer squad.

“He’s definitely an asset,” Conner said. “The kid’s lightning fast.”

Theo Stone, Drew Drake and Josh Bowman are also strong veteran leaders on the team.

Stone is a striker who can also play on the defensive end, Bowman is among Houston’s top offensive weapons and Drake is a stalwart of Houston’s defense, Conner said.

The Hawks also have Ahanu Kinney to add depth to its defensive line, and Conner expects good things from sophomore Cisco Davilla.

Overall, Houston still does not have the number of athletes its rivals may have, but Conner said this should be among the top teams Houston has put on a soccer field.

Houston girls soccer returns

After a year hiatus, girls soccer has returned to Houston High.

Houston has 17 players on the roster and will be led by first-year head coach Huey Farrell.

So far, Farrell has been happy with what he’s seen from a squad that debuted with a 3-0 loss to Nikiski in Anchorage last week.

“We kind of started from scratch,” Farrell said. “I’m never completely happy with a loss, but I wasn’t disheartened or anything. I’m happy with the work ethic.”

Farrell said he’s been pleased with the leadership of his three seniors — Paige Wagner, Tiffany Meyer and Konnor Woods.

All three will play key roles for the Hawks on the field this season. Wagner will play forward/midfield, Meyer will be in the midfield and Woods will lead the defense in the rear midfield.

Farrell said those are the positions where the seniors are best suited, but it will be nice to have the senior leadership spread across the field.

Farrell has also been impressed with junior goalkeeper Cayce Bryce, a newcomer to Houston High. The first-year coach also noted junior captain Alexandra McCall.

The Houston boys and girls are slated to play at Palmer on April 24.

** 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.