Valley Division II soccer coaches excited about the potential for success in 2025

The Houston, Palmer and Redington boys and girls soccer teams returned to the field this spring eagerly anticipating the 2025 prep season.

The three Valley schools are part of the ASAA Division II Northern Lights Conference, joined by Grace Christian and Kodiak.

Houston Hawks

Houston soccer is growing its ranks this year with both a boys junior varsity and a varsity team. An older team than in years past with seven outstanding seniors, and six juniors, the team is looking better than ever, head coach Heather Fortune said.

"There has been a lot of development since last years' season, and the team has really started to coalesce,” Fortune said.

The varsity defensive line and the offensive attack have strong players this year both in terms of finesse and force. Fans will recognize veterans Noah Whitted, Dayne Noakes and John Natekin up front, speedster Elias Johnson in the midfield, and the strong defensive wall of Charles DeBuse, William Rusher, Cyrus Johnson and Owen Hunter.

Fortune said the Houston Hawks are lucky enough to have some new talent join this year.

"Hopefully we'll see some standout plays from foreign exchange student Iago Garcia- Lumbre, junior Nathan Davies, senior addition Terje McClurg, and our new keeper Blake Baskett,” Fortune said.

The Lady Hawks have a lot of new talent this year to complement their list of mostly junior and senior athletes.

"While we have some that are new to the sport, we are confident in their abilities," assistant coach Ella-Kate Showers said.

With seasoned athletes returning to every third of the field, the Hawks have some secured leadership: forward Ashlyn McRoberts, midfielders Bella Russell and Grace Christensen, and defenders Keeli Johnson and Angela Plum. Aurora Faubert is also returning to goal keeping with a new back-up contender Graceann Kolberg. Junior Fern Putnam and sophomore TaNea Cook are also expected to make big contributions to the season.

"All in all, our hopes are high, and our hearts are in it," Fortune, who leads both the boys and girls programs, said.

Palmer Moose

After a successful appearance in the 2024 ASAA/First National Bank Division II State Soccer Championships, Palmer girls head coach Harmony Chadwick is optimistic about the team's prospects for the 2025 season.

"Our team is looking strong this season with key returning players and some promising new talent," Chadwick said.

The team will be anchored by solid senior leadership, with captains Rileigh Day and Grace Muilenburg guiding the team. They will be joined by returning juniors Aelin Serencha, Alahna O’Rourke, Isabel Rennie, Jada Becker, and fellow captain Greta Campfield, all of whom are poised to contribute to the team's success.

The squad will also rely on standout sophomore Kaylee Gallego, the 2024 Northern Lights Conference Girls Player of the Year, who leads a talented class alongside returning player Kilee Gose.

Palmer's roster is further strengthened by a group of highly-anticipated freshmen, including Lila Pettit, Quincy Cornell, Olive Ybarra and goalkeeper Charlotte Marciales, all of whom are expected to make an immediate impact.

In addition, new players Ruth Schweisthal, Shyla Phillips, Emma Keechle, Kaylee Paulson and backup goalkeeper Sadie Muilenburg will bolster the Varsity team this year.

With a strong junior varsity squad in place, Palmer looks to elevate a few players to the varsity level, providing them with valuable experience and opportunities for growth.

As the season progresses, the Palmer girls soccer team is ready to build on its past success and make a strong push for the championship, Chadwick said.

The Palmer boys are coming off a 14-5-3 record and a third-place finish at the Division II state tourney.

Head coach Blake Livingston is optimistic about this year’s squad despite graduating 14 seniors. He noted that those former players set a high standard and that the foundation is in place for the Moose to have continued success.

There is a strong core of senior playmakers including Elijah Von Gunten (11 goals), Porter Johnson and Noah Gallego. Other returning seniors include Owen Lance anchoring the back line, Jacob Logan, Zidane Dietz whom Livingston refers to as a “Swiss Army Knife,” and Abraham Chin as keeper.

The junior class features a pair of dangerous strikers in Cole Miller (8 goals) and speedster Jackson Charton. Bodie Miller brings creativity on the wing, while Storm Schadee’s leadership in the back sets the tone for the entire team.

Livingston is ecstatic about the work that sophomores Kaleb Von Gunten, Parker Johnson, and Jun-Jun Haubrich are putting in. Lastly, he expects ninth grade newcomers Finn Adams, Hunter Browning and Landon Livingston to all contribute to this season’s campaign.

Redington Huskies

Redington boys soccer is looking to build on the foundation from the previous season. The Huskies returned 10 letterwinners from last season and added some promising freshmen. This is also the team’s biggest roster in years. The team will be led by seniors Hayden Kearney, Aiden Dobbs and Thomas “Finn” Swalling.

Leading the girls team is head coach Francisco Campbell, whose wealth of soccer knowledge and passion for the game has helped build a solid foundation for Redington soccer. Kendra Miner, an assistant coach and former Valley prep soccer standout at Wasilla High, is working closely with both the players and coaches to ensure that the team is always prepared and ready to face any challenge.

Returning captain Annareese Carroll leads the team alongside fellow seniors Avery Flinn, Hannah Shepard , Emily Mattison, and McKaelyn Davidovics, all of whom bring valuable experience and skill to the field. New seniors Sofie Frydensberg and Lexi Pike will also make significant contributions, adding fresh energy and leadership to the squad. The team is bolstered by a talented group of returning underclassmen, including Rebecca Hubbard and Daisy Cardoso, who will be key contributors in both defense and attack.

The incoming freshman class, featuring Caydence Nunley, Iselin Swalling, and Janessa Gubler, add even more depth and potential, with all three showing great promise early in the season.

What stands out for the Redington team this season is their depth, according to the coaching staff. With so many skilled players across all grade levels, the team has the ability to rotate fresh legs throughout the game, ensuring they remain strong and competitive, the coaches said.

Contact the Frontiersman at sports@frontiersman.com.