NLC tourney: Colony girls blank Homer; Boys bury Kodiak

PALMER — Heading into the 2015 season, the Colony Knights girls soccer squad possessed the scoring punch. The Knights had the veterans on the defensive end. But there was still one question mark.

Goalkeeper.

But thanks to freshman Madison Zmuda, that worry is in the past and the Knights are a win away from a trip to the state tournament.

Zmuda earned a shutout, which included a big save on a Homer penalty kick, to help lead the Knights to a 4-0 win over the Mariners during the Northern Lights Conference Championships quarterfinals Thursday morning at Colony High School.

“She’s my rock star today,” Colony head coach Lorie Miner said of Zmuda after the win.

Zmuda stopped the Homer chance on the penalty kick midway through the second half to help maintain Colony’s 3-0 lead. The freshman, in great position, scooped up the hard, but low, shot to the left side of the Colony net. Even though the Knights held the three-goal advantage, Miner and assistant coach Yvonne Brooke each lauded the importance of the save.

Miner said Homer scoring on that penalty kick could have changed the dynamics of the game, and would have given the Mariners energy.

“Momentum changes a game,” Miner said.

Zmuda didn’t enter her freshman as the starter, or even a goalkeeper. Her older brother, Zach, is the starting goalkeeper on the Colony boys’ team. When the girls needed help at that position, Miner said, Zmuda volunteered.

“She said, yes coach, I will take the position,” Miner said. “She’s adapted quickly. She’s used to playing defense. (The transition) was very natural after watching her brother play the position, and her defensive skills that she has.”

Zmuda solidifying that position has been key to the Knights ability to have success this season, Miner said.

“We spent the last two years prior to this year without a goalie. We were relying on the field to take care of the job,” Miner said.

Improved passing has also helped the Knights’ cause, Miner said.

“We’ve been working on our passing game. That’s what was killing us, inability to connect on our passes and have speed with our passes,” Miner said.

The improved passing game helped Colony build a three-goal lead in the first half. Peyton Johnstone scored a pair of goals in the first half. Sahara Iverson added a first-half goal. Johnstone also scored in the second half to complete a hat trick.

With the win, Colony, the No. 2 seed from the NLC North, moves forward to face Soldotna, the No. 1 seed from the South, today at 11 a.m. in the semifinals at Palmer High School. Miner said the Knights are ready for a little revenge against a Stars squad that beat the Knights during the regular season.

“(Friday) is a big day,” Miner said of the match against the defending conference champion Stars. “We have the ability if we don’t let them get in our head. Physically, it’s there. We have the ability to be physical with them. We have the ability to get on the board and score. It’s just the mental.”

Soldotna blasted Palmer 9-1 in the quarterfinals Thursday morning at Palmer High.

Colony boys blast Kodiak

PALMER — Thursday marked a rough NLC tournament debut for the Kodiak Bears.

Defending state champion Colony scored a 9-1 win over Kodiak, a first-year varsity program, during the conference quarterfinals at Colony High School.

Cameron Shaw, Caleb Covington and Jake Forstner netted two goals each for the Knights. Josh Spannagel, Mike Shower and Russell Diotte also scored.

Joao Marques and Austin Richardson collected two assists each.

Colony led 6-0 at hafltime.

Colony will meet North Division rival Grace Christian in the semifinals, today at 1 p.m. at Palmer High. Grace, the NO. 3 seed, upset Soldotna, the No. 2 seed from the South, 2-1.