Prep soccer: Houston gets first girls soccer win in history of the program

HOUSTON - Steve Cole has started a tradition at Houston High School.

Every time the Hawks girls soccer squad would score a goal, the HHS head coach would buy a pizza.

&#8220It's motivation to put the ball into the net,” Cole said. &#8220And it hadn't cost me too many pizzas.”

But the number of pizzas Cole has had to buy this year sprung to 12, thanks in part to an 8-1 win over Nikiski.

Cole has been feeding pepperoni and sausage to his players every time they score. But for the last 10 years, the Houston soccer program has been hungry for something that isn't available as a pizza topping - a victory.

Now, after too many winless seasons to count, the Hawks have their first win in the history of the program.

&#8220He had a breakthrough,” Cole said. &#8220I have coached here for the last three years. And before that, there is nothing recorded having us won a game.”

Heather Johnston, Dana Ranum and Kristan England each scored twice in the win over the Bulldogs to lead the Hawks. Jen Gardner earned the win in goal, stopping 16 of Nikiski's 17 shots.

Cole said about halfway through the game, the Hawks began to get the feeling it was the day the program was going to make history.

&#8220We realized this is our game,” Cole said. &#8220The girls play harder when they're in the game, or have a chance to win.”

Losing had become a way of life for Houston soccer, Cole said. Last season, Houston had only 10 players, even though it takes 11 to field a team.

&#8220We had no subs, and we played short,” Cole said.

Houston is a small school competing mostly with schools twice its size. The Hawks are not able to draw from a pool of talent with soccer experience, and are left to court any player with athletic ability. But this year the Hawks have 13 players, and a much more athletic team. And this year, his athletic players are adjusting more quickly to the game of soccer. Johnston, Ranum and England - all stars in Houston's first win - are very athletic players, with little experience, Cole said.

Houston nearly notched a win in its season opener. The game cost Cole three pizzas as Tiffany Johnston, Lisbet Norris and Kacey Newman scored. But Seward was able to slip out of Houston with a 4-3 win.

With Seward and Nikiski fielding teams, there are now a trio of small schools at the same level as Houston.

&#8220We beat Nikiski and we should have beat Seward. Those are the (small school) teams that have soccer,” Cole said. &#8220It's hard when you only play against schools that have more on their J.V. teams, than we have players.”

Houston's season finale is at Wasilla on Tuesday. Although the Hawks face another team that is fighting for one of the top spots in the Northern Lights Conference, Cole said, his players now have something to smile about, and a little more faith in themselves.