Palmer boys net first soccer win

PALMER -- White, blue and yellow?

The Palmer Moose boys' soccer squad may have to consider adding yellow to its list of team colors. Before hosting Region III rival Soldotna, which sports a similar blue and white uniform, the Moose had to pull out the yellow jerseys. The new digs may be a good luck charm for Palmer, as the Moose earned a 3-0 victory over the Stars on Friday, marking Palmer's first win of the season.

"Whatever helps us win," Palmer head coach Tom Harrison said.

Ben Beetch, Kerry Osbourne and Rory Egelus each notched goals for the Moose -- who improved to 1-1-1 overall -- and first-year goalkeeper Jake Heun scored not only his first career win, but first career shutout.

"Jake was basically able to keep his composure," Harrison said. "Jake wasn't tested that much, the defense did a good job. He made the saves he had to make."

The Moose used a burst of speed in the Soldotna zone and toughness around the goal to notch their three scores. Palmer took a 1-0 lead after sophomore midfielder Ben Beetch muscled a shot past Soldotna goalkeeper Hunter Sirois.

Beetch took the ball in transition and sprinted past the Soldotna defense, before putting an initial shot on net. Sirois made the first save as Palmer sophomore forward Jared Berberich moved in toward the net. Berberich deflected a shot and Beetch was able to hammer in the rebound.

Early in the second half, Osbourne punched in a Egelus cross-pass to give the Moose a 2-0 lead. Egelus drove the ball down to the corner of the field, along the right side and sent a pass over to a trio of Moose players.

"It's good to start generating an attack," Harrison said. "We struggled with that earlier."

Egelus gave the Moose a 3-0 lead late in the contest. After Egelus sprinted past a Soldotna defenseman, Sirois challenged the Palmer midfielder -- traveling 15-yards in front of the Star net. Sirois' bold move proved costly, as Egelus weaved around the Soldotna netminder and put the shot into the goal.

Palmer returns to action today. The Moose face Grace Christian at 11 a.m. at the Anchorage Football Stadium.