Local soccer squads prepare for region tourney

The scene is set for the 2003 Region III soccer tournament. The two-day tourney hosted by Palmer High School will feature eight Region III soccer programs each vying for the conference crown.

The tournament seeds were finalized on Monday as Wasilla hosted Colony in the final regular season action of the year.

The two-time defending champion Colony girls are in position to remain on top of the region as they completed their unbeaten season in region competition with a 3-1 win over the Warriors.

Sianna Garrod scored a pair of goals in the contest and Teresa Hill added

another.

The Knights improved to 7-2-1 on the season and 7-0-0 in conference play. Their flawless region record earned the Knights the top seed from the North Division.

The only blemishes on Colony's record come from Juneau-Douglas. The Knights are 0-2-1 against the perennial power this season.

According to Knight head coach Lorie Miner, Colony is on the right track heading into the region tourney. Miner noted that the Knights have found the right combination of players to have success on the field.

Colony will face Skyview in the opening round of the tournament.

Palmer, which gave Colony one of its biggest tests this season in region competition, holds the North Division's number two seed. The Moose face Homer in the first round. Last week Palmer defeated the Mariners 5-0.

The Warriors are the third seed from the north and will square off against Kenai.

The Wasilla boys are the top team from the north after its 2-1 win over Colony on Monday.

Loren Smith scored each of Wasilla's goals in the win.

Wasilla's win helped end Colony's run as the top team from the Valley and in the conference.

"Traditionally they have been the team to beat as far as regions go," Wasilla head coach Blake Livingston said.

Wasilla will open against Soldotna in the tourney. The Warriors will be looking for revenge against the Peninsula program. The Stars knocked Wasilla out in the first round last year.

Palmer holds the north's two seed and will play Kenai in the first round. The Knights have the fourth seed and will play the top team from the south, Skyview, in the first round.

The top three teams from each bracket will advance to the state tourney at Wasilla next week.

The bracket is unique in the fact that if you lose in the first game, you are out. Once teams reach the semifinals they have two chances to advance to the state tournament. A loss in the semifinals lands teams in the third place game, where the winner gets an automatic berth.

Each team in the championship game receives an automatic berth.