Young players excite Palmer Moose soccer program

PALMER — The Palmer girls soccer program may not have the greatest veteran depth, but there’s a freshman class that just may spark the Moose.

“We knew they were pretty good,” Palmer head coach Harmony Chadwick said of the freshmen after her squad opened the season with a 5-0 win over Nikiski early in the week.

Jordan Brooke, one of four ninth-graders in Chadwick’s starting lineup, netted a hat trick to lead the Moose. Freshmen Elliot Perkins and Kendal Howe have earned starting positions in the midfield, and freshman Kat Godden started in goal against Nikiski.

Junior Morgan Morfe missed the Nikiski match, but returns as Palmer’s starting goalkeeper. Morfe is one of a handful of veteran leaders on the squad.

Senior Kendal Venzke is a top leader on the team. Juniors Anna Koehn, Brittany Wisner and Miranda Lindford also return.

Chadwick said she’s excited about the addition of Tress Whitfield to the squad. Whitfield also runs track for the Moose.

Sophomore Miracle Burton is expected to be among Palmer’s leading scorers.

The Palmer boys are also young after losing nine starters to graduation. This year, the Moose are looking to senior Daniel Burton to be the leader.

“He’s definitely my most skilled player,” Palmer head coach Kevin Dearborn said of Burton, who will play on the defensive end this year. “He helps us big time.”

Seniors Piers LaFrance and Brandon Campbell, and junior Aube Strickland are among Palmer’s top upperclassmen. Strickland scored three times during a season-opening win over Nikiski and set up the team’s fourth goal.

Palmer is still looking for its starting goalkeeper, but has three prospects to chose from — junior Thomas Morino, and freshmen Chandler Jones and Josh Banks.

Sophomore Jacob Spannagel is among the top underclassmen on the Moose team.

PALMER MOOSE

Boys head coach: Kevin Dearborn

Boys 2010 finish: Did not advance to state

Boys key returners: Daniel Burton, Sr., MF; Aube Strickland, Jr., F; Piers LaFrance, Sr, MF; Jacob Spannagel, Soph.

Boys key losses: Zach Zegzdryn; Ryan Conroy; Dunedin Strickland.

Girls head coach: Harmony Chadwick

Girls 2010 finish: Did not advance to state

Girls key returners: Kendal Venzke, Sr., D; Morgan Morfe, Jr., GK; Anna Koehn, Jr; Miracle Burton, Soph.

Girls key losses: Shawna Thein, Sierra Shelton.

Key newcomers: Jordan Brooke, Fr.