Sophomore sparks Moose

April 22, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz

Frontiersman

WASILLA - It's good to be aggressive.

Just ask Tess Anderson.

With her relentless play, the Palmer sophomore striker struck twice to lead the Moose to a 2-1 win over the Wasilla Warriors at Wasilla High School on Friday.

&#8220That's the kind of player she is,” Palmer head coach Brian Fish said. &#8220The type of player that doesn't give up on any play.”

Anderson helped her team rebound from an early deficit by knocking in a rebound during the 37th minute.

&#8220I followed through,” Anderson said. &#8220All those years of picking up the garbage, it pays off.”

Freshman Shea Riggs set up the play, sending a long pass toward the Wasilla net.

In the second half, Anderson took advantage of a Wasilla turnover, and fired a quick shot into the Warrior net for the score.

The play happened so quickly, Anderson caught the Wasilla defense by surprise.

&#8220Rather than maybe trying to take too many touches, she shot right away,” Fish said. &#8220I think that is what caught the goalie off guard.”

Anderson said she thought if she crossed the ball over, Wasilla goalkeeper Dani Haley would have a better play on the ball.

Despite the loss, Wasilla head coach Katie Broeder was happy with the play of her defense, a unit made up of a young group of players.

&#8220I was actually pleased with how are defense played today. We're very young,” she said.

Broeder said not only is her defense young, but several players are in new positions. A few early season injuries forced the Warriors to re-think a few things.

&#8220Our defense is totally restructured,” Broeder said. &#8220We've had to re-work our systems a little bit.”

Broeder praised the play of freshman sweeper Krizia Verplanke.

Randi Smith gave Wasilla a 1-0 lead in the 30th

minute.

The speedy junior striker took a cross from fellow striker Amanda Dau, and knocked the ball by Palmer keeper Chelsea Beetch.

&#8220She's a hungry girl. He like her up front,” Broeder said of Smith.

Broeder is excited about a group of strikers that also includes senior Nicole Duque.

&#8220They're tough,” Broeder said. &#8220They're not just some stringy little forwards. They're muscular; they're up there to scrap and fight for the ball.”

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