The West Valley girls soccer team continued its success against teams outside of Fairbanks upon its return, defeating both Matanuska-Susitna Valley teams over the weekend. After four straight wins, the Wolfpack is now 6-1-1 overall and in first place in the Railbelt Conference with a 5-0-1 record.
Friday — West Valley: 3, Wasilla: 1
The Wolfpack had a first shot on goal, but with about 10 minutes to go, Wasilla was in more danger, but West Valley's defense kept the game scoreless. And it was West Valley that broke through first, as Laura Seitz scored from the edge of the penalty box off an assist from fellow sophomore Mary Stordahl.
Moments later, the Wolfpack's goalie thwarted the goal by knocking the ball over the crossbar. Senior forward Hannah Willis, who has signed with Belmont Abbey College, then scored a long-range goal from the front, helping extend the lead to 2-0. Willis evaded a defender and almost added another point a minute later, but the ball was sent a little high.
“It's always tough when you're up by one point,” West Valley co-head coach Shannon Steiger said after the game. “Getting the second goal allowed the girls to play a little less stressed and a little more relaxed. I was able to do it,” he said. “And if that's the scenario, they always perform a little bit better. A big second goal is a sure thing.”
Willis scored again off a rebound to push the lead to 3-0 midway through the second half, and a Wasilla goal in the final minutes made the final score look a little more respectable. West Valley has now beaten Wasilla twice by the same score since defeating the Warriors 2-0 at Massou Valley in April.
“number 3 [goal] “We were able to rest a lot of guys on the bench tomorrow and that was one of our goals heading into the game,” Steiger said. “…From today to tomorrow, I would like to see them connect a little more passes and play together a little more.”
Saturday — West Valley: 2, Colony: 1
Sophomore forward Mary Stordahl put a shot in the back of the net in the first few minutes to give West Valley an early lead, and moments later, Wolfpack goaltender Nyla Welteren scored on a goal by Colony's Avri Geigerich. prevented the possibility of
The visiting Knights, who tied with West Valley two weeks ago at Mat-Su Valley, sent a goal kick over the net and then another goal kick just to the right of the goal. Despite this, Geigerich eventually outplayed the defense and evaded Werthalen with a kick across his body to tie the score.
Willis had a good effort on goal in the final minutes before half-time, but sent the ball a little high, leaving both teams level heading into half-time.
West Valley regained the lead in the second half, but Willis set it wide open for Stordahl's second goal of the morning. Willis almost added another point of his own shortly after. The Wolfpack continued to play solid defense throughout the remainder of the second half, with Welteren making a save in the final minute to secure the victory.
“We have to give it to the colony that’s coming.” [up] West Valley assistant coach Braden Hopaugh said after the game. “And that's going to be the difference between us and them, who wanted it more.”
West Valley will have its first game this week against the same Interior team. The pack will play against Lathrop on Tuesday, May 7th at 5:30 p.m., and against North Pole on Friday, May 10th at 7:30 p.m.
“Lathrop is coming,” Hoppaw said. “It's a rivalry that we always look forward to. We're hoping that our legs can recover and our minds can rest well so we can compete and play the brand of football that we know how to play.”