The Kenai Central boys soccer team defeated Ketchikan 2-1 on Wednesday in nonconference play at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School.
In the 62nd minute, Miles Metteer bombed in the game-winning goal from the corner of the box as the Kardinals moved to 2-0-1 overall and dropped the Kings to 2-1-0.
The wind played a big factor in the game, with Ketchikan playing with the wind in the first half and Kenai getting the wind in the second half.
“We wanted to get some shots,” Kenai head coach Shane Lopez said. “He was coming out of his net, so we were hoping that if we put one up and got in the corner, he just wasn’t going to be able to deal with it.
“That was the case.”
Ketchikan co-coach Juan Robles said the Kings have been coming to the Kenai Peninsula to get games for eight years now. He added the matches with the Kardinals have always been very close.
“The trajectory of the ball kind of changed with the wind,” Robles said of the game-winning goal. “It was an unfortunate part of the game.
“Just like us. We got a fortunate hand-ball situation and were able to capitalize on a (penalty kick). It’s little moments that add up to victories. I think that’s the difference between a win and a loss with two very good teams.”
In the 37th minute, Sawyer Vann gave Kenai the lead when he forced a turnover and beat Ketchikan goalie Nathan Iverson.
Just before the half, the Kings answered when Richard Evison banged home a penalty kick past Bradley Morrison.
“Ketchikan is a great team,” Lopez said. “Ketchikan always plays hard. They’re one of the top teams in the state.
“We’re grateful to have this opportunity to play a good team early in the season to help us improve.”
Lopez said he was proud of his midfield, particularly Cole Langham. The coach said Langham put on miles and miles running from penalty box to penalty box because the Kings were trying to overload center back Carson Grimm.
Lopez said Grimm and the back line were solid all game, while Metteer also was hard to deal with at forward.
Ketchikan stays in town for the Kenai Invitational Cup, a bracketed tournament with eight teams, that takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Kenai Central.
Thursday, Homer plays Wasilla at noon, Soldotna plays Redington at 2 p.m., Ketckikan plays Grace at 4 p.m. and Kenai plays Kodiak at 6 p.m.
Ketchikan co-coach Jake Potts said normally on the peninsula trip, the Kings will be playing a fourth game in four days against a team that is fresh.
This time, all teams will be playing at least a third straight game Saturday.
“It’s kind of a nice little warm-up for state,” Potts said. “It’s got the same kind of layout and everything.
“So we’re excited. It should be fun.”
Homer girls 2, Ketchikan 1
The host Mariners notched a nonconference win Wednesday to move to 1-1 overall.
Talia Weisser and Katelyn Marroquin had the goals for Homer, while Channing Lowney and Annabelle Franciscone had the assists.
Homer is hosting the Homer Soccer Tourney on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tournament also is an eight-team, bracketed event.
Thursday, the Kenai girls play Redington at 1 p.m., the Homer girls play Grace Christian at 7 p.m., the Wasilla girls play Ketchikan at 5 p.m. and Homer 2 plays Soldotna at 3 p.m.
Kenai Central’s Zane James and Ketchikan’s Conor Pearson battle for the ball Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central’s Enrique Mercade dribbles against Ketchikan’s Kingston Dell on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central’s Miles Metteer (14) celebrates the game-winning goal against Ketchikan on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
