After a rough start to the season that saw their two-plus year winning streak snapped, the Cook Inlet Academy coed soccer team has returned to form, picking up a pair of wins against Birchwood Christian and Holy Rosary Academy in Aurora Borealis Conference play on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
CIA improved to 7-4-1 in 2015.
Friday in Palmer, CIA topped Birchwood 3-0, getting goals from Chase Miller (fourth minute), Connor Leaf (46th) and Jiabao Leaf (76th).
Saturday at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, Jiabao Leaf powered the Eagles to a 5-0 win on the strength of a hat trick. Leaf scored in the 24th, the 30th and the 52nd minutes to complete the feat.
Connor Leaf and Briana Delon also scored for the Eagles. Leaf scored in the 44th minute and Delon in the 72nd.
CIA coach Kenny Leaf explained that he shifted his offense around, putting Jiabao up front to counter the Birchwood and Holy Rosary defensive schemes. Both teams moved their back lines forward, which left them vulnerable to breakout attacks.
“(Jiabao) is very athletic and raw,” coach Leaf said. “He was there and pounced on a couple deflections.”
Brady Hammond got the shutouts in both games.
CIA’s next game pits the Eagles against Lumen Christi Thursday at 6 p.m.
