In the semi-final round of the Peninsula Conference Soccer Championships on Friday at Soldotna High School, the Kenai girls and boys both record victories, the Homer boys hold-off SoHi and the Star girls down the Mariners. The four winners advance to the championship games set for Saturday and earn berths to the ASAA Division II Soccer Championships next week.
Some were pushed more than others; enter the Homer Mariner boys vs SoHi.
Homer Boys 2 – SoHi 1 Penalty kicks
The Homer Mariner boys advance to the Division II soccer tournament and the championship game for the Peninsula Conference, breaking a 1-1 tie in the sixth round of penalty kicks with a game-winning save by goaltender Tucker Weston.
An early, first half score for both Homer and SoHi proved to be all the scoring in regulation time as the Homer and SoHi boys played 100 minutes to a 1-1 tie. Following two, 10-minute scoreless overtimes, the contest turned to penalty kicks to determine a winner and to determine which team advances to the championship game and a berth at the state Division II tournament.
Following a five-for-five, first round of penalty kicks; Homer’s Weston stopped SoHi on the first sudden-death kick for the Mariner victory. Regulation goals were scored by Homer’s Charles Rohr and SoHi’s Josh Hieber.
Homer advances to face Kenai in the boys championship games on Saturday at 4 p.m. at SoHi.
Kenai Boys 6 – Seward 0
The #1 seeded Kenai boys overpowered Seward 6-0 to advance to the Peninsula Conference championship game on Saturday. Leif Lofquist recorded a three-goal, hat trick in the first half and Kenai added goals by Zack Tuttle, Travis McKinley and Nate Beiser.
Kenai earns a berth at the first Division II soccer championships next week, following three-straight appearances at the state soccer tournament under the former format.
Kenai Girls 1 – Homer 0
The Kenai girls, seeded #3, produced the only “upset” win in the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over #2 seed Homer.
Kenai’s Julia Hanson scored midway through the first half and the Kardinal defense makes the goal hold up for the 1-0 win. Kailey Hamilton records the shut out in goal for Kenai.
Kenai and SoHi will battle in the girls Peninsula Conference title game on Saturday at 2 p.m. on Jujstin Maile Field at SoHi.
SoHi Girls 5 -Nikiski 0
The Star girls, #1 seed into the tournament, handled Nikiski with a 5-0 victory in the semi-final game on Friday.
SoHi built a 3-0 lead at the half on goals by Meijan Leaf, Journey Miller and a second Leaf goal. SoHi added a pair of goals in the second half with goals by Sierra Kuntz and Cameron Blackwell.
The Star girls advance to face Kenai in the girls championship game at 2 p.m. on Saturday at SoHi.
Saturday Tournament Game Schedule
10 a.m. Girls 3rd Place Game Nikiski vs Homer
Noon Boys 3rd Place Game SoHi vs Seward
2 p.m. Girls Championship Game Kenai vs SoHi
4 p.m. Boys Championship Game Kenai vs Homer
Photo courtesy of KCHS Soccer facebook page
