The Kenai Central girls soccer team moved to 10-0-0 overall Saturday with a 5-0 nonconference victory over Houston at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai.
Maddie Malone had the shutout in net for the Kardinals on senior night. Kenai coach Dan Verkuilen gave credit to the team, particularly the defense, for the shutout because Malone didn’t face a shot all game.
The Kardinals led 2-0 at the half. In the 28th minute, Brynnen Hanson scored on an assist from Chloe Goldsby, and in the 33rd minute Goldsby scored on an assist from Kylee Verkuilen.
The Kards tacked on three more in the second half. Kate Wisnewski scored on a direct free kick in the 55th minute. Just eight minutes later, Verkuilen played the ball to Katie Johnson, who found Kori Moore for a score. With 10 minutes left in the game, Verkuilen assisted Wisnewski.
The seniors honored for Kenai are Goldsby, Cali Holmes, Moore, Rylie Sparks, Ella Yragui, Brooklyn Martin and Helena Rodriguez.
Kenai boys 7, Houston 1
The Kardinals moved to 7-2-2 with the Saturday nonconference victory at Ed Hollier Field on senior night.
Wade James had a pair of goals for the Kardinals, while Bridger Beck, Enrique Mercado, Sawyer Vann, William Wilson, Carnell Gump and Cole Langham added tallies.
The seniors honored for Kenai were James, Beck, Gump, Daniel Shelden, Landen Cialek, Ben Boersma, Carlos De Carvalho and Ky Calvert.
Kenai Central coach Shane Lopez wrote in a text message that he is proud of this senior class.
“This group has persevered through losing their freshman season to Covid and having to face all the challenges that came with coming back to playing sports after that,” Lopez wrote. “But, they have always worked hard and encouraged each other through challenging times, growing into leaders and all-around good men.”
Homer girls 5, Nikiski 2
The visiting Mariners moved to 2-3-0 in the Peninsula Conference and 5-5-0 overall with a Saturday victory at Nikiski. The Bulldogs are 0-4-0 and 2-5-1.
Minadora Reutov and Talia Weisser each had two goals for Homer, while Izze Dye also added a tally.
Avery White had both goals for the Bulldogs, with one coming on a penalty kick.
Nikiski coach Angie Coelho wrote in a text message that Celina Martinez really showed up on defense in the second half, while White was consistent in the midfield and Savanna Stock was consistent and fast on offense.
“Our goal this game was to score twice since we didn’t score at all the last time we played,” Coelho wrote in a text message of a 5-0 loss to Homer on April 27. “We hope to continue to lessen their lead and increase our scoring by the end of the season.”
Homer boys 8, Nikiski 0
The visiting Mariners moved to 2-2-1 in the Peninsula Conference and 4-5-1 overall with the Saturday victory. Nikiski is 0-4-0 and 0-6-0.
Walden Kraszeski had the shutout for the Mariners.
The goals were Jamen Anderson from Kaiden Bogie, Bogie assisted by Lucas Story, Espen Hennick assisted by Owen Pitzman, Rocco Flora assisted by Spencer Dye, Flora assisted by Johannes Bynagle, Anderson assisted by Pitzman, Pitzman and Austin Hanson on a penalty kick.
In a text message, Homer coach Adam Diaz thanked Nikiski for the game and said he always appreciates the opportunity to coach and represent his community. Diaz also was happy his team did not get injured in the game.
In a text message, Horst Haunold said his team played with nine players, until going down to eight players in the last 20 minutes after a player drew a red card.
Soldotna girls 5, Grace Christian 0
The host Stars moved to 7-3-0 overall with the nonconference victory at Justin Maile Field on Saturday.
Sunny Miller and Avery Powell shared the shutout in net.
Liberty Miller got the scoring started two minutes into the game on assists from Jazzalynn McDonald and Morgan Lemm. In the 18th minute, McDonald scored on assists from Lemm and Zayra Poage.
In the 26th minute, Lemm made it 3-0 headed to halftime with an unassisted goal.
In the second half, Sadie Lane scored in the 14th minute on assists from Liberty Miller and McDonald, and McDonald scored unassisted in the 59th minute.
Soldotna head coach Jimmy Love said Grace was playing a third game in a three-game road trip, but Love still thought his squad played a really good game. He said the Stars were playing a third game in four days, but shook that off and started moving the ball really well midway through the first half.
Soldotna boys 1, Grace Christian 1
The Stars tied the Grizzlies on Saturday at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna in nonconference action to move their record to 6-2-2.
Andrew Arthur continued a recent scoring splurge for the Stars with a first-half goal. The Grizzlies were able to equalize with about 10 minutes left.
“We didn’t have enough focus,” Soldotna coach Erik Dolphin wrote in a text message. “We had a ton of chances and didn’t score.”
Dolphin also said the Stars missed Gehret Medcoff, who was out with an injury, and Collin Peck, who was at a wrestling meet.
