The Cook Inlet Academy coed soccer squad picked up a third-place finish at the Tri Valley soccer tournament in Healy. Delta Junction and Holy Rosary claimed the tournament as co-champions.
With all nine Aurora Borealis Conference teams competing over a three-day span, not every team got to see each other, but CIA finished with a 3-1 record to settle for the bronze.
The Eagles played a Thursday doubleheader, starting with a 4-3 loss to Delta and ending with a 5-2 win over Tri Valley. CIA trailed Delta 4-0 at halftime, but a second-half hat trick from Connor Leaf nearly resulted in a thrilling comeback.
Against Tri Valley, Chase Miller completed his first career hat trick. CIA also got goals from Connor and Jiabao Leaf, the latter of which scored his first goal of the season.
Friday, CIA shut out Birchwood Christian 3-0, with two goals from Connor Leaf. Noah Leaf scored early in the first half. Brady Hammond earned the shutout in net.
CIA rounded out its weekend with a close victory over Su Valley amid a snowfall that ended in a 2-2 tie. The Eagles won in penalty kicks 2-0, getting conversions from Noah and Connor Leaf. CIA took the lead in the dying minutes of regulation with a goal from Miller, but Su Valley immediately equalized on the ensuing kickoff to force PK’s. Connor Leaf also scored in the first half.
CIA faces Nenana in a conference match Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Kenai Sports Complex soccer fields.
