WHS Senior continues scoring surge

April 29, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH

Frontiersman

WASILLA - If Jordan Ingalls is getting tired of scoring goals, he's not letting on.

Wasilla's senior striker pushed his season total to 10 goals in just four games with a pair of scores in the Warriors' 4-0 Northern Lights Conference victory over a scrappy Soldotna Stars team Friday night in Wasilla.

Adam Friese and Aaron Bean also scored for the Warriors, who pushed their record to 4-0 on the season.

Ingalls got Wasilla on the board in the ninth minute when he powered a left-footed shot past Soldotna goalie Tanner Abendroth, who got the start in place of an injured Dan Geller.

Ingalls was at it again just six minutes later, getting his foot on a Tyler Johannes throw-in to sneak the ball past Abendroth.

The goal seemed to deflate the Stars, who had showed some signs of life, particularly in the midfield, where Anthony Griglione made several nice plays to keep the Warriors at bay.

The battle between the lanky Griglione and Wasilla's fireplug midfielder Aaron Sharrow provided plenty of fireworks throughout the match. Just a sophomore, Sharrow never backed down from any challenge, winning more balls than he lost despite being several inches shorter than Griglione.

&#8220They won most of the balls in the air,” Soldotna Coach Jeff Siemers said.

Although he said he was happy with his team's effort, Wasilla coach Blake Livingston said the physical nature of play may have worked to his team's disadvantage.

&#8220I kind of felt like we kind of got into a more divergent style of play than we would like,” Livingston said. &#8220The guys were being physical and we got caught up in it a little.”

Still, Wasilla was able to control the tempo of the match throughout, much in part to solid play in the midfield.

&#8220Sharrow and John Pahkala did a nice job today,” Livingston said.

Wasilla got its third goal of the first half when Adam Friese followed up Jimmy Sliwa's shot, depositing the rebound in the back of the net to stake the Warriors to a 3-0 lead at the half.

Ingalls was denied a hat trick in the 43rd minute when his header was punched clear by Abendroth, but Aaron Bean was right there to convert the rebound and give Wasilla it's final margin of victory.

Wasilla goaltender Andreas Baltes had a relatively easy night, making mostly routine saves en route to his third clean sheet of the season. Baltes was helped greatly by good team defending on the back line that limited SoHi scoring opportunities with solid clearances and aggressive marking that served to smother Soldotna's attack.

Griglione was the only SoHi player to put much pressure on the Warriors, and most of his chances came from too far out to be threatening.

Following the game, Livingston said he was happy with his team's performance overall, and said the Warriors - who entered the season as conference favorites - are continuing to improve as the season progresses.

&#8220We're progressing and we're just trying to keep getting better,” he said.

Contact Matt Tunseth at 352-2265 or matt.tunseth@frontiersman.com

Wasilla boys 4, Soldotna 0

Scoring: Wasilla- Ingalls (9), Ingalls (15), Friese (23), Bean (43).

Cards: None.

Wasilla boys 0, Kenai 0

Kenai Central finally found a way to shut down NLC leading-scorer Jordan Ingalls on Saturday.

Kardinal goalkeeper Justin Wisniewski made several huge stops on the powerful Wasilla striker to preserve a 0-0 Northern Lights Conference draw.

&#8220He definitely made some good saves,” Livingston said.

Kenai also slowed down Wasilla's attack with some crafty defending, trapping Ingalls offside half a dozen times. The tie allowed both sides to remain unbeaten on the season. Wasilla is now 4-0-1 on the year, while Kenai is 1-0-2.

Despite seeing it's winning streak come to an end, Livingston said he was happy to see his team face its first real test of the season.

&#8220It was good to be in a game like this,” he said. &#8220It's going to make us stronger.”

Wasilla boys 0, Kenai 0

Scoring: None.

Cards: Kenai- Toombs (yellow).