Knights honor memory of beloved mascot in wins

ANCHORAGE — For 17 seasons, Jeremy Johnson has stood on the sideline as the head coach of the Colony High boys’ soccer team. Players have come and gone. Assistants have come and gone. But for more than half his tenure, Johnson’s black Labrador, Kiska, had always been there.

About 40 minutes before Colony’s consolation semifinal match against Grace Christian on Friday, Johnson got the call from his fiancée. Kiska had died.

The 14-year-old Lab was more than just the coach’s pet. Kiska was the team mascot for Colony soccer. And to the Knights players and coaches, Kiska was beloved, meaning to Knights soccer what Uga the English bulldog is to University of Georgia football or Ralphie the buffalo to University of Colorado University.

So when the Knights took the turf against Grace Christian in the consolation semifinals of the ASAA/First National Bank State Soccer Championships on Friday, they weren’t just playing for themselves. They were also playing for Kiska.

Senior Hunter Fisher scored in the sixth minute to spark the Knights and lead Colony to a 4-2 win over Northern Lights Conference rival Grace. The momentum continued into Saturday as the Knights blanked Service 3-0 to take fourth place in the 2011 tournament.

“All the boys really loved her,” Johnson said of Kiska, who was with the Knights during five NLC championship match wins and a state championship match appearance.

Johnson had a hunch this could be Kiska’s last soccer season. He brought her to his team’s final practice.

“It was special for her. All the boys went over and said their goodbyes,” Johnson said.

After Kiska died, the Knights dedicated the final two matches of the season to their mascot, and paid tribute with back-to-back wins.

Fueled by the Fisher score, Grant Krueger added to the Colony offense with a goal in the 32nd minute. Sean Colette set up that score, and Colette popped in a direct kick in the 54th minute.

Three minutes later, Avery Smith notched Colony’s fourth goal of the day.

The Knights also scored early against Service on Saturday. Tanner Menard struck a ball into the upper corner of the net during the ninth minute. The play was started by a long throw-in that Fisher headed into the post. Menard was able to settle the ball and score.

Matt Kelly set up a Smith goal in the 35th minute and used a cross to line up a Krueger goal in the 75th.

Johnson said it was a good win for his younger talent and graduating seniors.

“It was good for the young kids to see the seniors not giving up,” Johnson said. “They still want to finish as high as they can in this tournament.”

And it was good for Johnson to see his team play for Kiska. Johnson said the Knights have added a postseason award, The Kiska Award, given to the player most dedicated to the team.

Fisher, Colony’s senior captain, will be the first recipient.

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