Something to build on

May 8, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

HOUSTON - Nobody is quite sure how many times the Houston Hawks have celebrated victory since the conception of the girls' soccer program just more than a decade ago.

But for a struggling Hawks' program, the wins have been few and far between.

There may only be a handful of wins in the entire history of the program, and the Hawks have only won twice in about the last seven or eight years, Houston head coach Mary Sanford said.

But on Saturday, the Hawks scored a victory Sanford feels Houston can build on. Three players scored, and the Hawks posted a 3-1 win over Nikiski High School in Nikiski.

&#8220It was kind of a relief,” Sanford said of the feeling after the win.

The Hawks scored an 8-1 win over the Bulldogs at Houston High School last season, and considering that, Sanford said the Hawks felt like Saturday's contest was a game they had to win.

&#8220We wanted to make sure we won again,” Sanford said.

Senior Dana Ranum and sophomores Ariel Katzenberger and Kacey Newman each scored in the win.

Goalkeeper Jen Gardner backstopped the Hawks to victory.

Sanford was happy with her team's offensive performance - the Hawks scored their first goals of the season in the win - and is thrilled two underclassmen scored in the game.

&#8220Those are two solid sophomores to form the program around,” Sanford said.

Led by the likes of Ranum, Newman and Katzenberger, Sanford felt like the Hawks were able to basically dominate on the offensive end. Sanford said Nikiski was only able to fire about five quality chances on the Houston goal, and the Bulldogs' formation on the field allowed the Hawks to get good looks on the Nikiski net.

&#8220The defense was pulled way up,” the first-year head coach said. &#8220We out-hustled them, and were able to get wide-open shots.”

Historically, the Houston soccer programs have to sort of recruit, and snatch athletes from the fall and winter sports programs. That fact leads the Hawks to field a team with quality athletes, but rarely is there a multitude of players with much soccer experience.

&#8220It's pure, raw athleticism,” Sanford said. &#8220But they're quick learners.”

Most of the time, the Hawks have to focus on just the basics, and gaining that soccer knowledge.

It's all about building the soccer program at HHS, and Sanford feels there is definitely something at the school to build on.

There are only two seniors on the squad - Ranum and forward Nicole Moore - and overall, the number of players interested in participating soccer has improved. Sanford said she also has three eighth-graders from Houston Middle School practicing with the team.

Earlier this spring, the Houston High administration opted to cut girls softball and baseball, in part to help increase the participation in soccer and track. Sanford said she is already seeing an effect.

&#8220We have at least five players who wanted to play softball,” Sanford said.

The Houston players are also participating in off-season leagues, something that has been very rare in the past. Sanford said the players formed a team and competed in local youth indoor soccer leagues that play games at the Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex. She also said many of her players have plans to compete in outdoor soccer leagues during the summer.

Houston has two more games on the 2007 regular season schedule. The Hawks face Palmer today at 3 p.m. at HHS, and host Colony at 3 p.m. on May 15.

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