Trio of Wasilla girls soccer leaders earn chance to play at the next level

During his first season as the head coach of the Wasilla High School girls soccer program, JB Schwartz would find a trio of ninth-graders who would become the backbone of his varsity program.

Goalkeeper Ella Hale, center-back fielder Abigail Hill and striker Alia Shane.

After four years of leading Warriors on the field, the trio celebrated together the opportunity to play at the next level during Wasilla High School’s annual senior signing event at WHS.

“It’s super special. They’re from my first group of mine being a head coach. They were freshmen my first year,” Wasilla girls soccer head coach JB Schwartz said. “It’s a special group in general, but those three players are four-year starters and important pieces of our program.”

Schwartz said the three have been a big part of Wasilla’s success for the past four years.

“Really important pieces for us. Goalkeeper, center-back and striker. Huge for us for four years,” he said.

Hale committed to Doane University in Crete, Nebraska.

“Since her freshman year I thought she was one of the best goalkeepers in the state,” Schwartz said. “Her shot stopping and reaction are phenomenal. She’s going to grow, aggressiveness and command of her box.”

Hill committed to Centralia College, a junior college program, in Centralia, Washington.

“I knew from day one that she was capable of playing at the next level, but she had to be convinced she good enough, which is wild to me because she’s played every minute of every game but one,” Schwartz said. “I think she’s going to be a key component for any program. She’s super versatile.”

Hill missed only one game during her four-year varsity career to take the SAT.

Shane committed to Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.

“She has Division I attributes,” Schwartz said. “She’s two-footed, right foot and left foot from 30 yards out. She’s one with the right coaching, the right game plan and the right mentality, she could be an absolute barnstormer.”

Shane scored more than 50 goals in her four-year varsity career.

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