The Kenai Central boys soccer team continued their undefeated run through the Peninsu la Conference on Thursday night with a 4-0 road win over Seward.
Led by sophomore Travis Verkuilen’s two goals, the Kardinals shook off a 1-1 draw against Homer on Tuesday, their lone tie during their 12-game unbeaten streak, to dominate the Seahawks. Freshman Leif Lofquist and sophomore Titus Riddall added goals for Kenai.
Braedon Pitsch earned the blank sheet in goal for the Kards.
With head coach Joel Reemtsma unable to travel with the team due to a prior commitment, Kenai assistant Shane Lopez said taking an early lead provided important minutes to play bench players.
“We got some of the younger guys in and that was nice,” Lopez said. “I thought Braydon Goodman played great on defense, and Travis McKinley came off the bench to play well.”
The Kenai boys improved to 12-1-1 overall, while Seward dropped to 3-4-2.
Kenai girls 5, Seward 1
Earlier in the evening, junior Olivia Brewer powered the Kardinals to a win over the Seahawks with a hat trick.
Brewer got her day started with a goal just four minutes in, and added another in the 10th minute on a long throw-in from Brenna Eubank to make it 2-0, which stood at halftime.
Lucia Lombardia notched Seward’s lone goal midway through the second half to cut it to 2-1, but that would be as close as the Seahawks would get.
Four minutes after Seward scored, Abby Every slotted home a strike with help from Brewer and Eubank in the 65th minute, giving Kenai some more breathing room.
Liz Hanson scored in the 80th minute with an assist from Damaris Severson, and Brewer completed her hat trick two minutes later.
“We got a lot of pressure, but it was a fun game,” said Kenai head coach Dan Verkuilen. “There was a lot of mud, which definitely made for some interesting play.”
Sophomore Kailey Hamilton earned the win in goal for Kenai, while Makaira Williams started in the net for Seward.
With its third straight win, Kenai pushed its record to 4-3-1 in conference and 4-4-1 overall, while Seward dropped to 2-2-1 and 2-4-1.
Homer girls 11, Voznesenka 0
Senior midfielder Raisa Basargin netted five goals as the Mariners blanked the Cougars on a windy, rainy day in Homer.
Freshman Laura Inama scored twice, while senior Andie Sonnen, sophomore Kate Baring, sophomore Eve Brau and freshman Jess Sonnen each notched one goal apiece.
Kelli Bishop had the shutout in goal for Homer.
Mariners head coach Mike Tozzo said with the wind in their faces in the first half, Homer made it to halftime up 3-0, leading to a scoring barrage in the second half.
“The wind was just howling,” Tozzo said. “We came out a little slow, kind of played weird. It was almost like we didn’t want to offend them by playing too hard.
“Overall thought it was a decent warmup for us as we prepare for the region tournament.”
Tozzo also noted that junior goalkeeper Ali McCarron will be returning this weekend against Palmer after suffering a medical issue that forced her out for nearly two weeks.
