Prep soccer: Malemutes slip by Moose

June 3, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

ANCHORAGE - Before Saturday, nine of Palmer's matches were decided by just a single goal, and another three were played to a draw. So it's no surprise the Moose ended their 2007 campaign with another one-goal affair.

But unfortunately for Palmer, the Moose found themselves on the losing end.

Lathrop edged Palmer 1-0 to claim fourth place in the ASAA State Soccer Championships at Anchorage Football Stadium.

&#8220Kind of the same story it's been all season,” Palmer head coach Brian Fish said. &#8220All the games have been close.”

Palmer played its way into the bracket's fourth-place match with a 1-0 win over Valley rival Wasilla in the consolation semifinals on Thursday.

In the Northern Lights Conference tournament last week, each of Palmer's three games ended with a one-goal margin of victory. The Moose opened the NLC's with a shootout win over Skyview, continued with a 2-1 win over Soldotna and suffered a 1-0 loss to Homer in the conference title game.

Fish compared the loss to the Malemutes on Saturday to the game against Homer last week.

&#8220We had good opportunities, but didn't finish them,” Fish said.

Tess Anderson, who was named all-tournament following Chugiak's shootout win over South Anchorage in the state title game, nearly gave Palmer the lead in the first half.

When the Lathrop goalkeeper ventured out of the goalie box to challenge Anderson, Palmer's sophomore sniper had a brief open look at the net. But under pressure, Anderson pushed the shot outside.

Palmer also had a few offensive opportunities following long throw-ins by junior Ashley Swetzof.

Lathrop was able to bury its good chance, late in the second half. After the Malemutes picked up a loose ball in transition and fed it forward, Aubray Onderik was able to sneak a ball past Palmer goalkeeper Chelsea Beetch.

Although the Moose ended the season with a loss, Fish said there is certainly much to be proud of. Palmer advanced to the NLC championship game for the second consecutive season, and won at least one game at the state tourney for the second year in a row.

&#8220There's a lot to be said for that,” Fish said.

Palmer also has the luxury of losing only two seniors two graduation. The players - Ariana Cruz and Alena Voigt - were key to the Moose gameplan, but represent only two holes that Fish and his coaching staff have to fill.

Palmer also only has five juniors on the roster. Eleven roster spots are occupied by either freshmen or sophomores.

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