The Kenai Central girls and boys soccer teams swept Nikiski on Tuesday in Peninsula Conference action at Ed Hollier Field in Kenai.
The Kenai girls defeated Nikiski 10-1 to move to 2-0-0 in the league and 6-0-0 overall and drop the Bulldogs to 0-1-0 and 2-2-0.
The Kardinals were able to take an 8-1 lead after the first half on many strong finishes against Nikiski keeper Emma Weeks, who had led the Bulldogs to their first two wins since 2019 coming into the game.
Kardinals girls coach Dan Verkuilen said Weeks is a solid goalie and he was encouraged by the way his team finished on her.
“We were having trouble when we were doing our crosses because they were ending up in the goalie’s hands,” Verkuilen said. “We’ve been working really hard on overrunning our crosses and bringing them back to the center.”
Verkuilen then built some bounce-back nets that allow the Kards to practice crossing and finishing over and over.
Chloe Goldsby led the Kards with three goals and an assist. Verkuilen said the finishing practice helped her.
“She’s had beautiful shots, they’ve just been a little off,” he said. “She did three beautiful touches today, and all three went in.”
Also for the Kards, Kylee Verkuilen had a goal and an assist, while Cali Holmes, Ella Yragui, Sarah Baisden, Seanna Swanson, Kate Wisnewski and Katie Johnson had goals, and Kori Moore, Chloe Grimm and Brynnen Hanson had assists.
“We have really been trying to progress defensively,” Nikiski girls coach Angie Coelho said. “I think we could have shown that a lot better in the first half.
“In the second half, I really think they showed what they were capable of in only letting two in instead of eight.”
Savanna Stock scored in the 21st minute for the Bulldogs. Nikiski also earned a penalty kick in the 26th minute, but Maddie Malone was able to save the attempt by Stock. Malone played through 20 minutes of the second half, then was relieved by Ella Yragui.
“She’s fast, and she’s got some skill with the ball,” Coelho said of Stock. “Obviously, when you have both of those, it’s a winning combination.”
Coelho said Zoey Ellis also is dangerous up front, while Maddison Iyatunguk, Shelby McGahan Burman and Brooke Able did well in the midfield.
The coach also said Avery White can play anywhere for her team, while Celina Martinez adds a physical element at sweeper.
“Sometimes, I have to remind her that she’s allowed to turn it loose, because she gets a little worried she’s too physical,” Coelho said.
The coach also said Weeks bounced back in the second half after a pep talk from Horst Haunold, the boys coach and also the goalie coach.
“The coach said she’d like to see them go hard from the start, but I never really see them let up,” Verkuilen said of the Bulldogs. “They always play physical and they always go to the ball.
“Obviously, it’s harder with a smaller bench.”
Kenai boys 8, Nikiski 0
The host Kardinals moved to 1-0-1 in the league and 4-2-1 overall with the victory.
Ezekiel Yragui and Carnell Gump combined on the shutout for the Kards.
Wade James, Enrique Mercado and Sawyer Vann each had two goals for the Kards, while William Wilson and Dresden Reith added tallies. James, Carson Grimm and Trae Pitsch had assists.
Kenai head coach Shane Lopez wrote in a text message that his squad had great ball movement through the middle of the field to set up chances. In particular, Lopez wrote Aloshia Cross linked passes well to build up the attack.
In a text message, Nikiski head coach Haunold wrote that this was the first game for his full team, and that, as expected, rounding into form will take a lot of work. Haunold credited his team for fighting to the end and said the referees did a good job showing some lenience and explaining some rules to his squad.
Soldotna girls 1, Homer 0
Morgan Lemm scored for the visiting Stars as they notched a Peninsula Conference win. Soldotna is now 1-1-0 in the league and 3-2-0 overall, while the Mariners are 0-1-0 in the league and 2-3-0 overall.
Sunny Miller had the shutout for the Stars.
Soldotna boys 2, Homer 0
The visiting Stars got two second-half goals to move to 1-0-1 in the league and 3-1-1 overall, while dropping the Mariners to 0-1-0 and 2-3-0.
Lane Hillyer started the scoring for Soldotna with a free kick from about 25 yards out. Then, Gehret Medcoff played a ball to Johnny Wardas down the line. Wardas crossed and it was knocked in for an own goal.
Luke Hillyer had the shutout for the Stars.
“We dominated the game, but struggled to score,” SoHi head coach Erik Dolphin wrote in a text message. “The one good chance they had was turned away with a great save from Luke Hillyer.”
Homer coach Adam Diaz said this was the best his team played SoHi in a long time.
“I’m just grateful we had those games against Kodiak,” Diaz said of Friday and Saturday contests against the Bears. “I hope they felt the same way.
“They came out and played tonight exactly what I want for my program going into the future.”
Diaz said his team continues to improve each time it hits the pitch.
Rocco Flora had the own goal for Homer, but Diaz said that doesn’t change the way Flora has exceeded expectations as captain of the back line. Diaz also said Walden Kraszeski continues to gain confidence as the goalie.
Kenai Central’s Tait Cooper and Nikiski’s Savanna Stock battle for the ball Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Ed Hollier Field at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
