Prep boys soccer: Stars blank Moose in first round

May 27, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

WASILLA - The Palmer Moose ended the 2007 season the way they started it - building for the future.

Despite Palmer's 4-0 season-ending loss to Soldotna in the Northern Lights Conference quarterfinals on Friday at Bumpus Ballfields, Moose head coach Kevin Dearborn could see progress for his young team.

&#8220I thought we outplayed them in the first half,” Dearborn said. &#8220If we put a few of those opportunities away, it's a different game.”

Led by freshmen Brennan Bohman and Ryan Conroy, the Moose had their opportunities on the Soldotna net but were unable to bury them.

An experienced Soldotna squad - a team that would eventually claim third place in the NLC tourney with an overtime win over Colony on Saturday - was able to take advantage of opportunities.

Matt Grubb broke free in the third minute, got a clear shot on net and gave his team the early 1-0 lead.

Dearborn said allowing the opponent to post an early score has been a recurring problem for the Moose this season.

&#8220It kind of takes the wind out of your sails,” Dearborn said.

Blaine Carver knocked in a header in the 33rd minute to give the Stars a 2-0 lead.

Grubb and Christos Asimakopoulos scored second-half goals.

The Moose lose a few key components to graduation - such as goalie Vinney Salls, sweeper Haakan Bohman and forward Jerry Melin - but return the bulk of their

squad.

Among those who could make an impact with the Moose in the future are Conroy, Brennan Bohman and fellow freshman Zach Zegzdryn and sophomores Phillip Jansen and Donovan Hard.

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