Wasilla boys win another NLC soccer title; Warriors use penalty kick to edge Homer

SOLDOTNA — Wasilla managed to take a 2-1 lead on a penalty kick in the 70th minute that the Warriors never let go of to win the Northern Lights Conference championship game against Homer on Saturday at Skyview High School.

When the ball glanced off of Homer player Andre Lovett’s arm while he was in the goal box with 10 minutes to go, officials called for a penalty kick for Wasilla. Kyler Perry stepped up to take the shot and broke a 1-1 tie with the Mariners.

“I didn’t see what happened, but obviously one of my players is upset about it, because it glanced off his arm,” Homer coach Warren Waldorf said. “But it was a good game, and I guess the better team won today.”

Perry’s goal helped give Wasilla its second straight NLC title. The Warriors have played in the title match each of the last four years.

In a physical match that saw three yellow cards against Wasilla players in the first half, Homer scored first in the 25th minute. Lewis Koplin was able to take advantage of a long shot from the other end of the field to take a diagonal shot past Wasilla’s goalkeeper and bounce the ball off the right post and into the net.

However, Wasilla answered back with a shot from Ethan Keenan six minutes later with an assist from Perry to knot the game.

“Homer is a great team, and we have a lot of respect for them,” Wasilla coach Blake Livingston said. “They’re a quality side, and it took everything we had to come out and compete with them. I’m just really proud of my team that we could come out victorious in a region final.”

Livingston was named boys coach of the year for the conference.

“As far as the PK, I think it was unlucky for Homer, but at the same time, you have to take advantage of opportunities in a match,” Livingston said. “Homer is a very resilient and talented side, so give them credit.”

Even with the loss, Homer will travel to Anchorage next weekend to compete in the state tournament along with Wasilla, and Waldorf said with the kind of effort his team brings, they will be a force.

“They didn’t blow us out and we were in it,” he said. “I’m proud of my kids, and they gave an effort, and we had a couple of chances at the end there to get back. We’re still going to state. Nothing’s changed.”