Peninsula grabs another Warrior

WASILLA — The Wasilla High to Peninsula College pipeline continues to flow.

The Port Angeles, Wash., junior college added yet another Wasilla Warrior when WHS senior Nikki Vanni signed her National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the Pirates’ women’s program.

“I cannot wait,” Vanni said.

Vanni is already the fourth Wasilla soccer play to commit to a Peninsula College women’s soccer team that found instant success in only two years as a Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges program. Vanni’s teammates last season, Ashylnn Frizzelle and Kendra Miner, completed their freshman season. Tabitha Bare, another former Wasilla soccer player, capped her second season with the Pirates.

Vanni said she was sold on the recommendation of Frizzelle, a close friend.

“She said it was awesome, really great down there,” Vanni said. “She loves playing for them, and they really have a good team.”

The PC-Valley connection also includes Jessica Farrell, a former Colony standout who also completed her sophomore season. In all, there were seven Alaska players on the 2011 roster.

Former Palmer players Shawna Thein and Sierra Shelton played for PC during its women’s soccer team’s inaugural season.

With the help of the Alaska talent, the Pirates found immediate success. During the fall season, Peninsula College advanced to the NWAACC championship game and finished as runner-up following a 1-0 loss to top-ranked Walla Walla CC.

The Pirates won the NWAACC West Division, and finished 15-1-1 in league play at 17-3-3 overall.

Leisl Brown, a 2011 graduate of WHS, is a freshman on the PC women’s basketball team.

Vanni said seeing the success of her former teammates gives her confidence that she can have confidence at this level.

Vanni, a midfielder, has been a top player for the Warriors throughout much of her prep career. She was named the Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore and earned first-team All-NLC honors last year.

All has helped set up this moment.

“My life, it’s been my dream to get a scholarship and play college soccer,” Vanni said.

Vanni would like to continue to a four-year school after her time with the junior college program.

“Maybe keep playing after college?” Vanni said. “I’ll definitely try.”

Vanni considered other programs, but PC proved to be the right fit. Peninsula head coach Kenyon Anderson saw her play during a showcase tournament in Oregon, and judging by what she’s seen from her former teammates, Vanni said she knew Peninsula College was the right fit.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him at twitter.com/matsu_sports.