Improvement in facilities, numbers encourage Hawks

HOUSTON — The Nikiski Bulldogs would probably be surprised to learn Houston goalkeeper Sage Stirling is entering just his second season in his team’s net.

As the Bulldogs steadily attacked the Houston end, Stirling swallowed shots, knocked others above the crossbar, and more back into play. On one series alone, Stirling made four consecutive saves to keep the Hawks within striking distance.

Nikiski did walk off Houston High’s new turf field Friday afternoon with the 3-0 win. But the Bulldogs needed a barrage of shots to beat Stirling and the Hawks.

“I thought he did an outstanding job. One time, I think he made four saves on one shot. It was awesome,” Nikiski head coach Jim Coburn said. “He did a nice job today.”

Houston head coach Brian Cook was thrilled with the work of his junior keeper.

“He’s phenomenal when he’s on his game. H was outstanding today,” Cook said of Stirling. “When he’s on his game he knows where balls are going, he’s reading people, reading shots.”

Nikiski was able to take advantage of the aggressive Stirling early in the match. During the 13th minute, as Nikiski captain Christian Riddall chased a through ball from the midfield, Stirling left the box to challenge. Stirling missed a dive at the ball, and once the ball got away, Riddal was able to tap in an easy shot for a score.

Nikiski scored twice during a four-minute span in the second half, but both shots were difficult to contest. During the 50th minute, Michael Stangel sent a high arcing shot from outside the 35-yard-line. Stangel managed to tuck his shot just underneath the crossbar, but right above the fingertips of Stirling.

Four minutes later, Garrett Feller converted a penalty kick to give the Bulldogs the 3-0 lead.

“It was a bit of a frustrating game there. We played well, I hoped we’d be in it a little better,” Cook said.

Overall, Coburn was pleased with the Bulldogs, who were making their 2014 debut.

“I felt like we’re getting better,” Coburn said. “This is only the fourth time we’ve been on a field this year. It takes a while to get the passing down, the communication. Everything is better today than it has been.”

Both teams are small. Nikiski had only four reserves, while Houston boasted just a half-dozen on the bench.

“Houston’s a lot closer to the size of our school, so it’s a lot more competitive. It’s always fun,” Coburn said.

Cook is hoping to continue to see improvement within the program. He said the Hawks have some young talent on the squad, and the numbers are improved from last year. The program is also seeing the benefit from the school’s new athletic turf field, which was installed prior to the 2013-14 school year.

“The turf is amazing. Last year we didn’t get out until the day before the last practice. We were playing in the gym the whole time,” Cook said. “This year, we were out three weeks ago.”

Cook said the Hawks are a team built around Stirling. Mike Spidal, the team’s leader on the defensive end, is also key to the Hawks, he said, while Houston’s leader in the midfield is Ahanu Kinney.

Houston returns to the field to play Palmer Monday at 7 p.m. at Machetanz Field.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.