The Soldotna boys soccer team defeated host Kenai Central 2-1 on Saturday in Peninsula Conference action to finish an unbeaten regular season.
The Stars are 13-0-1 overall and 6-0-0 in the league, while the Kardinals are 8-4-1 and 3-3-0. The Homer boys also finish 3-3-0 in the league, while Nikiski is 0-6-0.
SoHi head coach Erik Dolphin said this is the second unbeaten regular season in the program’s history. The other came in 2008 when Dolphin was a player on the team.
The Stars went ahead in the 10th minute when Nuno Venturi scored on an assist from Andrew Arthur, then Simon Willets made it 2-0 on a penalty kick in the 23rd minute.
In the second half, Sawyer Vann cut it to 2-1. Kenai coach Shane Lopez said his squad had some other chances, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
“I think we controlled the bulk of the game,” Dolphin wrote in a text message. “Glad to come out of the regular season unbeaten.”
Kenai girls 2, Soldotna 0
The host Kardinals avenged an earlier loss to the Stars on Saturday to set up a tie at the top of the Peninsula Conference.
The Kardinals are 12-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the league, while the Stars are 11-1-2 and 4-1-1. Homer finished 2-2-2 in the league, while Nikiski was 0-6-0. The top spot will come down to a tiebreaker, but that tiebreaker was not known as of Saturday night.
Kenai struck first in the 29th minute. Kylee Verkuilen got the ball to Brynnen Hanson, who crossed to Katie Johnson for the goal.
Hanson then provided an insurance goal in the 72nd minute.
Kenai head coach Dan Verkuilen wrote in a text message that his whole team played well. He wrote the Kards possessed the ball and had most of the pressure for a good part of the game.
Houston 2, Nikiski 1
The Hawks notched a nonconference victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday. Nikiski is 2-9-0 overall.
Alexa Iyatunguk gave Nikiski a 1-0 lead in the game.
Nikiski coach Angie Coelho wrote in a text message that the game was physical and two of her players had to come out due to injury. Houston was able to take the lead after the injuries.
“My girls’ passes were on point,” Coelho wrote. “I was so proud to see them taking their space, looking for a pass, and just playing great.
“We spent almost the whole game on their side of the field.”
Houston 7, Nikiski 1
The host Bulldogs are 2-9-0 overall after the Saturday nonconference loss to the Hawks.
Kazu Yukawa notched the goal for the Bulldogs.
Homer girls 3, Palmer 0
The host Mariners celebrated senior night with a nonconference victory over the Moose on Saturday.
Briar Boyd, Minadora Reutov and Emma Grimes scored for Homer, while Christi Weisser had the shutout in net.
The seniors honored for Homer were Reutov, Boyd, Addi Grimes, Emma Grimes, Hazel Pearson, Goldie Hill, Kavindra Johnson, Lily King and Regan Baker.
Palmer boys 4, Homer 0
The visiting Moose dropped the Mariners to 6-5-1 overall with a Saturday nonconference victory.
Seniors Lucas Story, Nathan Overson, Jake Tappan and Lion Trejo were honored for the Mariners.
