Valley flair helps win soccer championship

TUKWILA, Wash. — With time winding down in the 90th minute, Kendra Miner’s heads-up play gave Peninsula College the boost it needed to win the Northwest Athletic Association of Community College’s women’s soccer championship.

It was Miner’s heads-up play that put the ball into the Spokane Community College net with time winding down that tied the title game at 1. After two scoreless overtimes, Peninsula won the program’s first title in a shootout, 3-2.

While the win was sweet for a Peninsula team that finished runner-up last season, it was special for a group of women on both teams who share Valley ties.

Miner, a sophomore Wasilla High School grad, plays on a Peninsula team with fellow Warriors Ashlynn Frizzelle, also a sophomore, and freshman Nikki Vanni. On the other side of the field in last weekend’s championship game was former Colony High School standout Jamie Krediet.

Miner said it was fitting the teams played for the title, and she enjoyed playing against Krediet.

“We had been talking back and forth this whole season and were planning to see each other there,” she said. “During the game there was a goal kick and we play different positions so we don’t match up usually. But for that one play we were lined up by each other. We were patting each other on the back. That was awesome.”

Miner was also excited for a chance to tie the game with time running out. She said her goal came off a free kick that ricocheted off the crossbar and into her.

“We had an offensive play, and a freshman, No. 7 Annie Armstrong, and the (Spokane) girl completely took out Annie challenging her ball,” Miner said, describing the play that set up the free kick. “She set it up from about 25 yards out. I snuck in from the back and it hit the crossbar and I knew that it would come to me. I just ran through it and went in and caught the goalkeeper off guard.”

Frizzelle said the shootout win was the culmination of a year of work after losing in the title game in 2011.

“The difference this year is we knew what we were getting into,” she said. “This year we were all confident and we definitely had a lot more and different challenges this year.”

One of those challenges was an early season ACL tear that ended Vanni’s season. Both Miner and Frizzelle said they were disappointed that another WHS alum couldn’t play in the title game.

But watching Miner net the tying goal “got me pretty, pretty excited,” Frizzelle said. “After that goal, the team lit up and everybody synced in together. It was good that she put one away.”

Looking across the field at Krediet in a Spokane uniform “kind of made me feel like I was playing here in high school again,” Frizzelle said. “I like playing against her.”

Krediet also enjoys playing against her former Valley rivals on the pitch. She said she was disappointed to not win the championship, but is happy for her friends on the Peninsula team. In the deciding shootout, Krediet took one of the shots for Spokane and put her ball in the net.

“We played them earlier in the season and it wasn’t as an intense game as this one,” she said. “I was hoping we’d play Peninsula in the championship game because I know so many girls there. It would’ve been nice to win, though. I know all those girls, especially Kendra. We’ve been rivals all the way and we joke around on the field and off the field. We’re pretty good friends.”

During the game, Krediet and Miner didn’t say anything to each other, but maybe they didn’t have to, Krediet said.

“There weren’t any words, but there was a throw-in and I kind-of leaned into her,” she said. “I was laughing, but trying to be fierce during the game. That’s how we’ve been all the way.”

After the game, her former Wasilla rivals were classy about their victory, Krediet said.

“I thought (Miner would) probably be rubbing it in my face later, but she was a fair sport about it,” she said. “We got a picture after the game and we had a hug.”

Along with the players, the title game was especially meaningful for at least one Valley parent. Lorie Miner is Kendra’s mother and head coach of the Colony High program, where she mentored Krediet.

“It was wonderful,” she said about watching her daughter and the other former Valley athletes play. “We have a group of coaches in Alaska who work very hard and are very dedicated to high school sports. … To watch Kendra to go and play for a championship team is great. It’s wonderful to see that happen.”

As a coach, how would she rate the play of Krediet, Miner and Frizelle?

“They played awesome,” coach Miner said. “Ashlynn, she was a key defender for the Peninsula team and did an outstanding job. She saved quite a few (scoring chances). … It was great to see them. They worked very hard and made some real big accomplishments, and I think it all goes back and (reflects well) on those high school coaches who work very hard. As coaches, we’re very proud of our athletes and as a mom, I’m very proud of my daughter.”

Because junior college is a two-year program, all but Vanni played their last game for their NWAACC teams last weekend. All said they plan to continue their soccer careers with four-year programs. Both Miner and Krediet said they’ve been talking to several schools about possible transfers, and Frizzelle also wants to continue playing, preferably in the northwest area.

For now, though, Frizzelle said she’ll just enjoy being a champion.

“I think about it quite a bit,” she said. “It’s kind of sunk in, but it really hasn’t yet. I’m pretty excited we actually won it this year.”

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.