Soldotna soccer sweeps Nikiski

The Soldotna soccer teams swept Nikiski on Wednesday at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna in Peninsula Conference action.

The Stars girls notched a 9-0 victory to move to 1-1 in the league and 2-2-1 overall, while the Bulldogs fell to 0-3 and 0-5. In the boys game, Soldotna won 10-1 to move to 2-0 and 3-1-1, while Nikiski falls to 0-3 and 0-4-1.

In the girls game, SoHi took a 4-0 lead at the half. The goals were Zayra Poage assisted by Bay Bloom, Morgan Lemm assisted by Caylee Uribe-Koivisto, Bloom assisted by Uribe-Koivisto and Kendra Rose, and Jolie Widaman on a blast from 25 yards out.

In the second half, Katharine Bramante scored with help from Liberty Miller and Sadie Lane, Lane scored on assists from Miller and Alex Lee, Poage scored off a cross from Lane, Uribe-Koivisto scored after a pass from Jazzalynn McDonald, and Alex Lee scored unassisted.

Sunny Miller and Lemm shared the shutout in net.

Soldotna coach Jimmy Love wasn’t happy with the way his team started the game.

“We came out flat,” he said. “We were moving the ball, but we weren’t at that intensity level I think you need to come to a game with.”

Love said he and the seniors on the team must convey the urgency that a team must bring every day in a season as short as the spring soccer season.

Love said he had a talk with his team at halftime. He said Soldotna was much better in the second half, but the coach also thought the Bulldogs stepped up their play.

Nikiski coach Angie Coelho said her team was able to practice on its field for the first time Monday, and that helped immensely.

“I felt like our defense really held them strong,” Coelho said. “We had one goal, and it was to keep them out of the goalie box as much as possible. And I think the girls really helped make that happen.”

Coelho said Paisley Maxwell stood out.

“This is her first year playing,” Coelho said. “She’s playing our middle midfield position. And we call her honey badger because she just goes after whatever. She doesn’t care where it’s at. She just tackles it. She’s responsible for most of the steals on our team.”

The coach also said Emma Weeks had 18 saves in net.

“She keeps doing a good job, no matter what’s going on,” Coelho said.

Soldotna boys 10, Nikiski 1

Brock Poe and Maleda Denbrock both scored twice to lead the Stars to victory.

SoHi coach Erik Dolphin also said some of the other players to score for the Stars were Dawson Lockwood, Daniel Heath, Silas Larsen and Andrew Arthur.

Dolphin also liked the game Zac Buckbee had at midfield. He gave credit to Buckbee for not hunting a goal.

“He had a couple opportunities, but he made the right pass,” Dolphin said. “The kid just plays the game the right way.”

David Weathers scored unassisted in the second half for the Bulldogs.

“David Weathers has been a bright spot for this team all year and he is only a sophomore,” Nikiski coach Jeremy Garrett said.

Garrett was impressed with the Stars.

“We had a tough outing today but hats off to SoHi,” he wrote. “They were able to execute and their patience, passing and teamwork showed they are a talented team.

“We continue to take small steps and played hard.”