PHS blanks WHS

ANCHORAGE — Kevin Dearborn knows, if his Palmer squad is going to have success, the Moose need to strike early.

Palmer senior Steven Williams scored twice in the first half to lead the Moose to a 2-0 win over the Wasilla Warriors at The Dome in Anchorage on Friday.

“For the last year-and-a-half, we had a horrible problem of giving up a goal in the first five minutes,” Dearborn said.

But rather than trailing early, Williams scored about 15 minutes into the contest to give the Moose the 1-0 lead.

“That really helps us build on that momentum,” Dearborn said.

Williams scored again about 10 minutes later.

“Palmer set the tone in the first 20-25 minutes just with their intensity level,” Wasilla head coach Blake Livingston said of the season-opener for both teams. “Steven was very opportunistic on both goals.”

Freshman goalkeeper Brandon Wolsterman recorded the shutout in his first career start with the Moose. Dearborn said, not only is Wolsterman a freshman, but he’s also coming off an injury.

“He came into tryouts with a broken arm,” Dearborn said. “He just got his cast off. I didn’t know how he was going to do, but he ended up doing really well.”

The freshman made a half-dozen saves and avoided a potential score when a Warrior shot hit the post. Livingston felt Wasilla had some legitimate chances, especially in the second half.

“I thought my team did a good job of putting some possessions together in the second half,” Livingston said. “We definitely had some opportunities.”

Sophomore Eli Tingstad was in goal for the Warriors.

The match was not originally on the schedule, but the Wasilla administration was able to secure time on Friday morning in The Dome — the popular indoor facility that has allowed Anchorage-area programs to be playing in official games since mid-March.

Palmer and Wasilla’s first matches of the season were scheduled for the upcoming weekend, but after spending much of their practice time either in gymnasiums or battling the elements created by a lingering winter, the Valley squads relished the opportunity to play on the indoor turf.

“It was actually the first time I’ve been in The Dome. It’s pretty impressive,” Livingston said. “As a coach it really shows you what you’re up against.”

Because it’s a late addition to the schedule, the match will count in the overall standings, but not the conference record, Livingston said.

Palmer (1-0) has a busy weekend ahead, hosting Skyview on Thursday, Homer on Friday and Nikiski on Saturday.

Wasilla hosts Nikiski on Friday.

Wasilla girls 3, Palmer 1

Wasilla junior Rachel Kennedy scored to lead the Warriors to a 3-1 win over the Palmer Moose at The Dome on Friday.

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