Last year’s youth is this season’s depth for Warriors

WASILLA — Last year, Wasilla head coach Amber Craig had to watch as her girls’ soccer squad graduated six key players who helped the Warriors advance to the state tournament for the third time in as many years. But even though Craig would have a half-dozen holes to fill when the 2010 season started, the second-year Wasilla head coach could look to her bench and feel at ease.

“Even last year, I could look and my bench and say I’ve got this girl and this girl and this girl to fill (those positions) right away,” Craig said.

Because of that, Craig’s 2010 squad just may have the potential to advance to the ASAA state tourney for the sixth time in school history.

“We’ve got a really good core group coming back,” Craig said. “We’ve got great players coming off the bench. It’s neat to look at the lineup and see kids who can rotate in for every position.”

Leading Wasilla’s group of veterans are senior captains Rachel Kennedy and Krizia Verplancke, and junior captain Lina Shadrach.

Kennedy excelled at forward during her first three years with the program, but will be moving to outside midfield this year. Craig said the Warriors can best take advantage of Kennedy’s strengths at that position. Shadrach will continue to roam the middle.

“Her play continues to develop every year,” Craig said of Shadrach. “She never seems to plateau.”

Verplancke will lead the Warriors on the defensive side of the field.

Junior Amy Jo Coonrod, who led the Warriors in scoring last season, returns. Seniors Calaena Powder and Tabitha Bare, junior Ashlynn Frizzelle and sophomore Nicole Vanni are also back.

Craig said Powder will fill the void left on defensive by graduated captain Tabor Tingstad, and Frizzelle will continue to play a key role on defense.

The Warriors also return a healthy Becca Newcomb, Craig said. A newcomer who could make an impact, Craig said, is senior Carlee Naczi, a basketball standout at Wasilla High. This will be Naczi’s first season of high school soccer. Craig said she noticed Naczi during a summer women’s league. Even though this is her first season, Craig said Naczi’s talents in other sports will translate to the soccer field.

“All that understanding of ball movement, screens, boxing out in basketball she brings right to the soccer field,” Craig said.

Arguably the toughest position to fill will be the one left by graduated first-team All-Northern Lights Conference goalkeeper Sammy Becker. Craig said the Warriors held tryouts for the position, and a pair of juniors — Kamarae Kaina and Kelcie Boe — have earned the chance to see time in net.

“They’re a lot like Sammy Becker,” Craig said. “Athletically raw, aggressive in nature, willing to be trained.”

Becker was one of three Warriors to earn first-team honors last season, along with Frizzelle and Coonrod. Kennedy and Vanni return after garnering second-team honors last season.

The Warriors, who finished third in the NLC and in a tie for seventh at the state tournament, open the season Tuesday against Colony at The Dome in Anchorage.

Wasilla boys excited

about potential

Like the Wasilla girls, the Wasilla boys also graduated a group of its leaders, but the team is excited about the potential of the next group ready to take charge.

“We lost some key components, but at the same time we’re optimistic,” Wasilla boys head coach Blake Livingston said. “We have a nucleus of very skilled players with a lot of potential.”

Leading that group is junior Paul Sliwa, a second-team All-NLC selection last year. Sliwa is part of a strong junior class that also includes Dustin Hout and Eli Tingstad, a three-year starter in the Wasilla goal.

“He keeps improving,” Livingston said. “I expect him to be one of the more dominant keepers in the state.”

Senior Alden Lee, a two-year starter, senior Ray Keown and junior Cameron Perry also return.

Wasilla finished second in the NLC and tied for third in the state tournament after a scoreless tie with Dimond in the third-place match.

“We’re definitely looking to reload,” Livingston said. “The biggest key for us is coming together as a team and finding our identity.”

Wasilla opens the 2010 season Tuesday against rival Colony at The Dome in Anchorage.

** Editor’s note: This is the second piece of a four-part series previewing the Mat-Su Valley’s 4A prep boys and girls soccer teams.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.