Moose even their mark

April 29, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz

Frontiersman

PALMER - It took the Palmer Moose nearly three complete games to notch their first goal of the season. But only about 10 minutes to get their second.

Freshman Ryan Conroy scored his first of two goals in the 10th minute to spark Palmer's 5-1 win over Nikiski at Colony High School on Friday.

The Northern Lights Conference win came less than 24 hours after Palmer's first win of the season - a 1-0 victory over Valley-rival Colony on Thursday.

Palmer first-year head coach Kevin Dearborn knew his Moose entered the Colony contest 0-2-0, but realized after the win his team has an excellent opportunity to get back to .500.

&#8220I think we took advantage of our situation,” Dearborn said.

Conroy led the Moose with two goals and two assists in the game, and was one of three freshman to score.

Freshmen Zach Zegydryn and Brennan Bohman also scored.

Senior Jerry Melin posted a goal and an assist.

Melin set up Conroy's first goal, using his speed to get a clear shot on the Nikiski net. Melin's attempt was stopped by Nikiski netminder Jordan Harrison, but the ball got away from the freshman keeper and Conroy was there to tap in the goal.

Melin said an all-around effort contributed to his team's success on the offensive end.

&#8220Everyone did their job,” said Melin, who also assisted on Palmer's lone goal against Colony Thursday. &#8220(They) passed around the ball, got their shots off.”

Dearborn said, honestly, he was just happy to see more than one ball go in the net.

‘We've had some problems scoring goals,” Dearborn said. &#8220Hopefully that is behind us.”

Palmer had numerous opportunities in its 1-0 loss to Homer last week, and could have seen a few other chances get to the back of the net against Colony on Thursday.

Melin said the Moose have moved a few people around the field, and that has also contributed.

&#8220People are feeling more comfortable where they are,” Melin said.

Melin gave the Moose a 2-0 advantage in the 15th minute of the contest. The senior slipped a high shot right under the Nikiski crossbar.

Late in the half, Conroy scored again, knocking in a Zegydryn cross.

But Nikiski was able to cut the score to 2-1 just one minute later.

Nikiski sophomore midfielder J.D. Hall set up the score, sending a long pass toward the Palmer net. In a mess in front of the goal, Palmer goalkeeper Vinney Salls went left to stop a shot, and Bulldog junior forward Josh Vance was able to go right and squeeze the rebound into an empty corner of net.

Zegydryn and Bohman scored within a two-minute span in the second half.

Zegydryn converted a penalty kick in the 41st minute, while Bohman knocked in a rebound off a Conroy shot in the 43rd minute.

Palmer hosted Nikiski at Colony High School because Palmer High School hosted the Palmer Relays track and field meet on Friday and Saturday.

Now at 2-2-0, the Moose will now prepare for a three-game road trip to the Kenai Peninsula.

The Moose are at Skyview on Thursday, Soldotna on Friday and Kenai on Saturday.

Palmer girls 7, Nikiski 0

Palmer improved to 2-1-1 with a 7-0 win over Nikiski at Colony High School on Friday morning.

Junior Ashley Swetzof and sophomore Krysta Theisen each scored two goals for the Moose.

Sophomores Tess Anderson and McKenzie Rudolph, and freshman Shawna Thein also posted goals for Palmer.

Swetzof and fellow junior Chelsea Beetch combined for the shutout for the Moose.

Palmer head coach Brian Fish said the Moose were able to establish momentum early, scoring three times in the first 20 minutes.

&#8220That's something we talked about,” Fish said. &#8220coming out and not playing to an opponent's level. The girls came out hard.”

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