Wasilla girls, Colony boys win Railbelt soccer titles

WASILLA — Prior to the start of the 2018 season, Wasilla head coach Patrick O’Neill asked his players to adopt a defensive mindset. The different approach earned the Warriors a Railbelt Conference girls soccer title.

Wasilla ended the regular season locked in a three-way tie at 4-2-0 with region rivals West Valley and Colony. The tiebreakers came down to least goals allowed among the three teams tied. Wasilla allowed a combined three goals to he Knights and Wolfpack, and Colony and West Valley allowed six goals each in the scenario.

Thanks to the stingy defense, the Warriors were crowned Railbelt champs and earned the first of the conference’s two berths to the Division I state tournament.

“From the first day of practice, the message to the team, the focus would be on team defense,” O’Neill said.

And that has been the theme throughout the season. Wasilla has allowed only five total goals this season, and only one came in the flow of play.

“I can’t say enough about how they played as a unit,” O’Neill said. “It’s a remarkable accomplishment.”

Two of the five goals scored against Wasilla came off corner kicks and the other two were penalty kicks. Wasilla (11-2-2) overall has allowed goals to only Colony, West Valley, Soldotna and Bartlett. Goalkeeper Aleks Kvalheim has 11 shutouts this season. O’Neill said Kvalheim has come through with some huge saves this season, but the Wasilla defense consistently limited opportunities.

O’Neill said the success of the defensive approach is parttttly attributed to players taking on new roles this year. Junior Abby Crawford, one of Wasilla’s top goal-scorers as an underclassman, moved to the backline. Senior Leanna Malak, another offensive, talent was moved back. O’Neill said the desire and the willingness to take on new roles was key.

Sophomore Shaya Donley and freshman Taylin Fraker solidified the Warrior backline.

O’Neill said the work of centermidfielders Alexis Friesen and Nicole Catlett have been key.

Overall, O’Neill said the Warriors are thrilled with the first-place finish.

“The girls are super excited. I couldn’t be happier with their effort, the work they put in,” O’Neill said.

Wasilla used a 3-0 win over Lathrop Saturday morning to move into the tie to give the Warriors the chance with the tiebreakers. Kamryn Broach, Reese Sande and Friesen scored in the win. Emily Summers finished with a pair of assists.

Colony finished as the odd team out among the three. After Wasilla was ruled the top squad in the conference, it came down to West Valley and Colony. West Valley won its tiebreaker against the Knights due to record against common opponents. Both teams faced South Anchorage twice. Colony finished 0-1-1 against South. West Valley was 1-0-1 against the Wolverines, and earned second place and the second seed at state.

West Valley also needed its 5-2 win over the Knights Saturday to create the tie.

Colony boys win title

The Colony Knights have claimed the first boys’ title in Alaska’s newest Division I soccer region.

Colony used a 4-1 win over Lathrop in Fairbanks Friday night to win the Railbelt Conference, which was created when ASAA reclassified prep soccer during the offseason.

“It’s great. We’re the first champs ever for the Railbelt,” Colony head coach Jeremy Johnson said by cell phone Friday night.

Johnson said his squad played very well throughout the match.

“We held possession, really controlled the game,” Johnson said.

Kyle Dearborn led the Knights with a pair of goals in the win. Mikey Shower and Noah Krozel also scored.

Dearborn gave the Knights a lead in the 10th minute, robbing a Lathrop pass before sending a strike into the lower corner of the net. Dearborn added to the lead in the 20th minute, knocking in a header set up by a Connor Friesen corner kick. Five minutes later, Shower wove through the Lathrop defense and scored.

Late in the game, Shower set up the Krozel goal.

Johnson said the Knights put about 15 shots on net.

Colony suffered a 2-0 loss to West Valley Saturday in Fairbanks.

Colony boys, Wasilla girls earn first-round state tournament byes

Two of the three Valley teams in Alaska’s Division I and II state tournaments earned first-round byes.

The Colony boys and Wasilla girls will open their state tournament play Friday in the Division I semifinals at Service High School in Anchorage. Colony will play the winner of Lathrop/South Anchorage first-round game Friday a 1 p.m. In the girls’ tourney, Wasilla meets either West Anchorage or Service Friday at 7 p.m.

The Palmer girls are in the state tournament for the first time in more than a decade. The Moose meet North Pole Thursday a 5 p.m. in the first round of the Division II tournament.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.