Rookie keeper leads Knights past Wasilla

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

PALMER - Colony High School girls soccer head coach Lorie Miner decided to put freshman goalkeeper Jennifer Martin into the starting lineup prior to the Knights match with Skyview on Saturday.

Martin responded by giving up just one goal in a 4-1 Colony win.

So Miner kept Martin in the starting lineup for Colony's contest against Valley-rival Wasilla on Monday.

Martin responded again - this time posting the shutout - in a 3-0 win over the Warriors at Colony High School.

Amazingly, Martin's experinence in net at the high school level has been in only game situations. Miner said Martin is yet to see time at the position in practice, but her ability to learn has kept her in the games.

"She's pretty good about receiving verbal communication, making corrections and doing what we ask her to do," Miner said.

Martin's ability was tested often in the second half as Wasilla picked up its offensive pressure.

Britta Hanson led the Warriors with a trio of solid opportunities on net. Early in the first half Hanson put a hard shot on goal that went just left of the net. Minutes later Hanson put another shot on goal, cleanly saved by Martin. Late in the contest, Hanson found Martin out of position, but deflected the shot just inches outside of the goal.

Megan Pfile led the Knights offensively with a pair of goals.

Late in the first half, Pfile gave Colony a 2-0 advantage. Pfile found herself right in front of the ball and directly in front of an open net. With Wasilla goalkeeper Allie Johnson screened by a pair of Knights, Pfile quickly booted the ball into the top of the Warrior net.

"She was at the right place at the right time," Miner said.

Pfile punched a shot past Wasilla keeper Dani Haley in the second half.

Colony 4, Skyview 1

Pfile scored twice to lead the Knights to a 4-1 win over the visiting Panthers on Saturday.

Amy Saxon and Brietta Clemmer also scored for Colony. Palmer topped the Panthers 3-2 on Friday.

Homer 4, Colony 1

Homer defeated Colony 4-1 in the Knights Northern Lights Conference opener Friday.

Emily Whitstine scored the lone Colony goal.