By KLAS STOLPE
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka High co-ed soccer team garnished their first win of a short game-scheduled season on the road Thursday, defeating the Ketchikan Junior Varsity 2-1 on the pitch at Esther Shea Field.
It was a strong showing for the Sitka side and it took some traveling adjustments to get it done.
The Wolves were headed for Ketchikan on the state ferry Columbia Wednesday when it had to divert back to Juneau due to a mechanical problem. The team scrambled to rearrange travel itineraries and managed to catch an Alaska Airlines flight out of Juneau, but half of their gear had to be pulled due to a flight weight and balance issue. As the team sat on board the jet on the tarmac they watched bags being taken back off.
“None of us noticed the bags were ours,” said Sitka coach Chris Lamb.
Sitka High junior goal keeper Kyle Remmington (44) chases the ball against Ketchikan’s Emma Bower (33) on Thursday during the Wolves 2-1 win over Kayhi at Esther Shea Field in Ketchikan. Sitka sophomore Kobi Weiland (20) and junior Nellie Onalik (1) ready to shift onto offensive
possession. (Dustin Safranek / Ketchikan Daily News)
Since a soccer or sport team’s cleated shoes, and athletic shoes, are sometimes not allowed through the TSA checkpoints they are generally in checked baggage.
The Wolves did not get their bags, with cleats and uniforms, until the following day.
“So we had to scramble with little clothing or sleeping bags,” Lamb said. “We made it through the night and played the game, which was a great match.”
Lamb said junior Max Johnson had a strong showing, scoring two goals in the second half of play.
The first came 10 minutes into second stanza action on a breakaway and the second came on a penalty kick at the 25 minute mark.
“After we gained our two-nil lead they scored within three minutes of our second goal,” Lamb said. “It was clear that after the second goal was scored our team’s sense of urgency let up. It is something I have preached all season to my team. Most goals happen when the team loses focus after a goal is scored and they get lulled into a comfortable lead. It was nice to see the kids experience that situation. It kicked them into overdrive and they marked their opponents well and finished the game strong.”
The Wolves also had another opportunity to score as Aiden Bailey was awarded a penalty kick, but the Kayhi keeper made a great save.
Sitka plays again today at Ketchikan. The Wolves final matches will be at home, against Thunder Mountain on May 17-18 on Moller Field.
