Su-Valley ends soccer season with strong showing at state tourney

by: Emily Tiensch – KTNA

As October began the Su-Valley soccer season came to an end. The team has had a successful second year together, and placed fourth at the recent 2A state tournament in Healy.

Su-Valley’s first game was against Cook Inlet Academy. The teams have faced off multiple times this season. The game ended with a 2-1 loss. Forward Marshall Pinard scored the Rams’ single goal. Pinard had the best weekend of his season scoring a majority of Su-Valley’s goals.

Su-Valley’s second game was against Lumen Christi. The Rams played through thirty mile-per-hour winds and cold temperatures and defeated Lumen Christi 3-2.

Su-Valley’s third opponent was Holy Rosary, from Anchorage. The two schools had a competitive season against each other, and this game was no different, as the winner would play in the championship game. Su-Valley put up a valiant effort, but finished with a slight defeat of 2-1.

On day three of the tournament, Su-Valley faced off against Nenana for the first time this season. The wind continued to blow and the air stayed cold, but fans and parents kept the players warm with hot chocolate and tea.

The final game was a rematch against Cook Inlet Academy for third place. It was also the last game that the Su-Valley seniors would play. At half time the score was 1-0 with CIA in the lead, and the pressure began to grow.

Soon after the routine half time pep-talk, Jack Starbuck scored the Rams’ first goal, tying the game. The game remained tied for the rest of regulation.

The game then went into a 30-minute overtime, and both teams scored one goal. Since a tournament can’t end in a tie, that meant a shootout. Su-Valley has not had much luck in shootouts this season, and had yet to win a game that came down to one.

Players, Jack Starbuck, Heather Holcomb and senior Logan Mabry shot the Rams’ penalty kicks, scoring once. Cook Inlet Academy made two of their three kicks, and won the game. The players were disappointed in the loss after such a tense game, but hopes are high for next year.