Kenai boys soccer defeats team from Clarkston, Washington

The host Kenai Central boys soccer team opened its season with a 2-0 victory over a squad from Clarkston, Washington, on Monday.

Early April is not exactly a popular time to visit the Kenai Peninsula, as evidenced by snow flying in the air throughout the game.

Clarkston head coach Corinthia Richert said the trip has worked out perfectly for her squad, though.

A few years ago, the Bantams traveled to Juneau during the middle of their season, which also falls on spring break.

Richert said when she runs into players from that team, the Juneau trip is all they talk about.

“So it was something I wanted to provide this group, because they’re an amazing group of kids,” Richert said.

The problem was Juneau-Douglas: Yadaa.at Kale and Thunder Mountain combined before this school year, meaning there would not be as many games available on a trip to Juneau.

Richert said she started reaching out elsewhere in the state. With a jamboree at Kenai on Friday and Saturday, plus opportunities to play Kenai and Soldotna in full matches, the Kenai Peninsula quickly became an attractive option.

Clarkston is a town of about 7,000 located in the southeast corner of Washington.

“We live in a very small area, pushed out all on our own, so anytime I can get my kids to experience the world outside our small little valley, I like to try and do something,” Richert said.

Although Clarkston had a couple days of temperatures in the 80s before the team came up Thursday, Richert said Monday’s game in the 30s was similar to what the team faces when the season starts in late February or early March.

In a nice touch, Clarkston is in a valley, meaning it’s very common there for snow to fall and not stick on the ground, as was the case Monday.

Richert said she’s very familiar with the area. Her husband guided in Happy Valley for about 10 years, stopping about seven years ago. Richert’s grandparents also lived in Anchorage.

“I’ve gotten to know the area a little bit,” she said. “I absolutely love Alaska, and love this area in the peninsula.”

After the jamboree at Kenai on Saturday, the team drove to Seward and spent the weekend there, getting to take a memorable wildlife cruise.

Tuesday, the Bantams will drive to Homer, and Richert will stop in Happy Valley to show off an area filled with memories.

The final bonus is that Clarkston has found good competition on the peninsula, with games that are relatively even.

“That’s what I wanted for my kids, was to get better during these games,” Richert said. “These teams are definitely going to help us get better for our season when we return.”

The Kardinals appreciated the chance to play a team from out of state.

“I like the opportunity,” Kenai right midfielder Enrique Mercado said. “I’m glad they let us have it and came to the Kenai.

“They played a great game. Everyone worked their hearts out.”

Added sweeper Carson Grimm: “They were all really respectful. They’re a good team.”

Kenai head coach Shane Lopez said his team lost two starters from last season.

“We have a lot of the same team coming back, and you can see the chemistry between the guys that have played together for several years,” he said. “They’ve been working hard and improving in practice.

“I thought they played well in the jamboree and I thought they played well tonight.”

Seven minutes into the game, Ryker Dykema took a pass from Mercado and blasted a shot past Clarkston goalie James LeBret from the top of the box.

The next goal came in the 13th minute of the second half when Sawyer Vann got a pass from Zane James and scored from the corner of the box.

Mercado said the team was able to keep the energy high throughout the game.

“We have a deep bench,” he said. “We’ve got everyone playing.”

Bradley Morrison had the shutout in net, with Grimm leading the way on defense.

“We all did really good,” Grimm said. “We blocked their runs and didn’t let them get any shots off.”

Lopez added that Cole Langham was a workhorse in the midfield along with Mercado.