The Kenai Central boys soccer team moved to 4-4 overall with a nonconference, 2-0 victory over Palmer on Friday at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai.
Both of Kenai’s goals came in the first half. In the 18th minute, Joe Hamilton scored on a cross from Wade James. In the 29th minute, James finished a header off a free kick from Hamilton.
Sawyer Vann recorded the shutout in net, saving a penalty kick in the second half.
“I’m very proud of how the guys are coming along,” Kenai coach Shane Lopez said. “They’re improving as a team and getting more creative as they get to know one another and play together longer.”
Lopez also gave credit to Daniel Shelden and Koda Poulin for leading a solid effort on defense.
Kenai girls 2, Palmer 0
The Kardinals got a pair of goals from Kylie Verkuilen to improve to 5-3-1 with the nonconference win over the Moose.
Verkuilen struck twice in the first half, once on a penalty kick and the second time on an assist from Chloe Goldsby.
Maddie Malone posted the shutout in net for Kenai.
Wasilla girls 2, Soldotna 0
The Stars fell to 3-3-1 with the nonconference loss to the Warriors at Kenai Central.
“The outcome was not indicative of the game,” Soldotna coach Jimmy Love said. “It was a pretty tightly played game and it should have really been tied.”
Love said his team again came out playing well, going strongly to the ball and winning 50-50 balls. The coach was happy with 65 or 70 of the 80 minutes, which he said is pretty good for a third game in a string of four straight games.
“It was a good team effort, we just were not able to finish,” Love said.
Wasilla boys 1, Soldotna 0
The Stars fell to 3-3-1 overall with a nonconference loss to the Warriors at Kenai Central.
Wasilla scored on a free kick with five minutes left for the victory.
Soldotna was shut out for the second straight game.
“I think our biggest thing was we just panicked,” SoHi coach Erik Dolphin said. “We’ve become accustomed to putting the ball in the back of the net. In both games, we weren’t able to find as much success.
“Instead of normal possession and building through the midfield, we played the ball over the top, tried to run it down and played hero ball.”
Dolphin said Gehret Medcoff made a couple big saves. The coach also said Jace O’Reagan cleared a few balls off the line.
Homer girls 1, Thunder Mountain 0
The host Mariners moved to 6-3-2 overall by defeating the Falcons on an own goal in the 75th minute. On April 15, the teams had played to a scoreless tie.
Homer coach Mike Tozzo said the goal came on a scramble in front of the net.
“We got the goal because of effort,” Tozzo said. “We could have watched the goalie catch the ball, but Sela Weisser and Minadora Reutov were pushing up front pretty hard.”
Tozzo said it was a great, physical game. He was happy to see his team play better after an off game Thursday against Wasilla.
Felicia Weisser had the shutout in net. Tozzo said Sela Weisser had an incredible game at center midfield, while Izzy Dye came back from injury to play well at defensive midfield.
The coach also said Sidney Flora did a a good job on the back line handling Thunder Mountain’s quickness.
Homer boys 7, Redington 2
The host Mariners improved to 3-7-1 by taking a nonconference contest from the Huskies. Homer also topped Redington 6-0 on April 21.
The score was tied at 2 at the half. For Homer, Hunter Green scored on an assist from Bryan Yindeethin and Owen Pitzman scored on an assist from Lucas Story.
“The big thing our kids struggled with is we’ve played a lot of teams where we’re down a lot, so they feel a need to rush and attack the goal relentlessly,” Homer coach Adam Diaz said.
Diaz said he told his squad at halftime to settle down and focus on possession.
The goals came quickly, with Casey Otis scoring on an assist from Owen Pitzman in the 13th minute, Lucas Story scoring on an assist from Jack Hrenchir in the 14th minute and Hunter Green scoring with help from Story in the 17th minute.
Jake Tappan, assisted by Hrenchir, and Jamen Anderson, assisted by Story, finished the scoring.
Diaz said it was great to see Anderson get a goal because he has a big heart and is a loud, positive presence on the bench.
Kenai Central’s Wade James dribbles against Palmer’s Noah Wilkins on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
