Senior returns to lead Warrior girls to wins

WASILLA — The Wasilla girls’ soccer team was missing Amy Jo Coonrod.

The senior striker missed about three weeks due to injury, but once she got back on the field it didn’t take long for Coonrod to make an impact. Coonrod tallied a goal and an assist to lead Wasilla to a 2-0 Northern Lights Conference win over Grace Christian School late last week.

Coonrod didn’t start, but within about five minutes of taking the field she knocked a ball into the net to give Wasilla the 1-0 lead. Later in the first half, Coonrod set up a Reece Morrison goal to push the Warriors’ lead to a pair of goals.

“She knows how to get the ball in the net,” Wasilla head coach Amber Craig said. “It’s nice to have her back.”

Coonrod also scored a pair of goals to lead the Warriors to a 5-0 win over Nikiski the following day. Sophomore Kaitlyn Butcher also netted a score.

Wasilla suffered a 2-0 loss to perennial power Juneau-Douglas on Wednesday at Wasilla High.

Wasilla boys split with NLC rivals

Kyle Welton scored a pair of goals to lead Wasilla to a 5-0 win over Nikiski last week. Eli Tingstad recorded the shutout for the Warriors.

The Warriors suffered a 1-0 loss to Grace Christian last week and a 3-1 loss to Juneau-Douglas on Wednesday. Paul Sliwa scored the lone goal against the defending state champions.